Mark Morris Dance Group

As we continue our Black History Month celebrations, we're excited to introduce and celebrate our guest dancer, Sloan Pearson. 💛

We asked Sloan a few questions below...

What inspires you as an artist: "We are the truth keepers and the storytellers of the times. We are the heartbeat, and it’s so impactful. From seeing children light up when a song comes on and have that joy manifests into movement - we provide audiences with that tangible liberation through perspectives shared via the many forms art can take. Art is subjective, it’s evocative, and just as creating and presenting is highly vulnerable so is receiving. This inevitably unites people of all backgrounds even if just for an evening; leaving them forever changed."

How do you celebrate Black History Month: "By educating myself more so with my rich culture and the history of our predecessors. Specifically with dance and music and how it encompasses all that is Blackness from our roots originating throughout the African Diaspora, to the Blues of Jazz music that have been the melody of our shared experiences, and the words that continue to amplify our humanity and link our experiences with those of other oppressed groups of people globally that continue to rise again. It unifies and humanizes us through our resilience. These experiences and stories inform our daily existence providing us with hope, wisdom, and inspiring us into unwavering action. Knowledge is power and through application and understanding, that power leads to necessary change. I carry these reminders the remainder of my year and throughout my life because Black History is more than a month. It is many lifetimes that have been, and will continue to be."

Thank you, Sloan for sharing your joy and artistry with us. @sloanpearson #SloanPearson #BlackHistoryMonth #MarkMorrisDanceGroup
📸: Sloan Pearson, Jacob’s Pillow, David Roth