Full Circle Dance Company is thrilled to announce that two of our incredible artists, Hope B. Byers and Misty Yackshaw, have been honored as recipients of IAM Creativity Grants for 2024!
The IAM Creativity program, launched by the Howard County Arts Council, supports and celebrates artists across various disciplines. This inaugural year focuses on Dance and Visual Arts, with applications reviewed by an esteemed panel.
Byers, who received the largest of the four grants awarded in the dance category, is at work on 1868: Liberation and the Ever Lashing. This work delves into the often-overlooked Reconstruction era in American history—a time when formerly enslaved Black Americans made extraordinary strides toward freedom and equality. Byers explores the complexities of Black progress, the hope inspired by the first attempts at interracial democracy, and the violent resistance that ultimately undermined these efforts. “As part of my process for this work, the dancers are usually separated by race. This can be uncomfortable, but they get it—emotional discomfort is essential to addressing hard truths,” she says. She feels honored to work with a group of dancers who are unwavering in their commitment to helping her tackle this challenging content.
Grantee Misty Yackshaw revisits The Ceiling, created in response to the 2017 "Me Too" movement, which addresses decades of women's struggles in the workplace. The piece illustrates both the progress made in workplace equality and the significant challenges that remain. “Rehearsals for this piece are often very weighty and emotionally taxing for myself and the dancers. I applaud their willingness and fortitude in bringing my vision to life,” she says. She hopes that future generations will view the issues depicted in The Ceiling as outdated and unrecognizable.
As we celebrate the achievements of these Full Circle artists, we look forward to the continued impact of their work on the community. Their choreography will be featured in our performance on November 3rd, 2024, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, with shows at 2:30 and 6:30 pm.
Join us in congratulating Hope B. Byers and Misty Yackshaw on their achievements! Follow us on social media to stay updated on their upcoming projects and performances.
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