• APRIL 2016 NEWS •

ALL THAT GLITTERS: TWDCC TEEN HONORED WITH NEXTie AWARD

Creatively curious and courageous teen Shadja Correia, a youth star who was one of the first students at Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, will receive the “Under 18 of 2016” NEXTie for her work with Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History’s Subjects to Change.

Mother, teacher, artist and dancer Noelle Correia recognized the talent in her daughter early on and worked hard to find a studio that offered a well-rounded dance practice. That studio was the Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, led by Director Cat Willis.

“Years ago, I took an Afro-Caribe-Modern class from Cat and I knew that I wanted this woman to be Shadja’s teacher,” Noelle Correia said.

From here, Shadja enrolled in SCOPE, TWDCC’s scholarship program, and has been studying with Micha Scott. These days, she dances more than nine hours a week and learns qualities beyond dance as an artform. Willis recognizes the terrific impact that art has on the youth.

“Shadja really embodies what it means to be a student at TWDCC,” Willis said. “She is disciplined, incredibly creative and self-motivated, and an absolutely beautiful and technically fierce dancer.”

An even wider audience saw this same glittering talent, drive, intellect and dedication in Shadja outside of a dance studio. The NEXTie Awards recognize those who create, build and inspire to make Santa Cruz an ideal location to live, play and do business. Shadja — along with 13 other great local leaders — will be honored with NEXTies during a ceremony at the Rio Theatre, 7 p.m., Saturday, April 8.

“We are proud of Shadja’s accomplishments both in the studio and stage, and throughout all of her other endeavors. She is a curious and intelligent young woman who we are proud to call one of our students” says Cat Willis.

In addition to celebrating Shadja’s award, Willis has a lot to be proud of this spring. Three months ago, Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center was able to expand its studio. In addition to the beautiful glass-framed space Willis has been operating since 2012, recently she signed a lease on a second space at the Tannery. With this move, TWDCC will be able to increase their ever-growing array of dance classes for both children and adults that serve more than 250 people a week. The new space houses three studios, including a 1400-square-foot space with a fully sprung, maple dance floor. Learn more on the TWDCC website.

EVENTS CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS
April 8: Print & Paint for Adults & Teens, a transfer print workshop. Use photos from your phone and print all evening. Snacks provided. Studio #116. 7-8:30 p.m. $20.

April 8: NEXTies at the Rio Theatre. 7 p.m. $30-$50. Get tickets.

April 10: Curator’s Talk, Rain Percussions. Margaret Niven and exhibitors. Radius Gallery, Studio #127. 2 p.m. FREE.

April 11: Ebb & Flow deadline. Request for proposals with Arts Council Santa Cruz County are due at 5 p.m.

April 13 to May 4: Poetry Generation with Magdalena Montagne. 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. $195. Register.

April 21: “Tan of Dreams” at the Crow’s Nest. 8:30 show. $5.

Apr 30: Open Studios Application deadline.

SUMMER CAMPS
Registration is now open:
- Camp Tannery Arts
- DANCEarts Summer Camp at Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center
- Sewing Summer Camp at Cosmo Chic

WEEKLY EVENTS
Tues & Thurs: Animal Art classes for kids 5-13. Create an animal book. Student exhibits every First Friday. Watershed Art Studio #116. 4-5:30 p.m. $10/$15 materials fee.

Tues & Wed: Sewing classes for kids 9-16. Cosmo Chic, Studio #117. 3:30-5:30 p.m. $30. Register.

Wednesdays: Smorgasbord: Jewelry from findings. Ages 7-13. Studio #116. 4-5 p.m. $15.

Wire Twisting Classes: Ages 11-17. Learn basic wire twisting for round and teardrop beads, how to add chain and clasps. Register by email or call 831-265-3328. $40/two classes.

Thursday Art Market: Featuring artists, food, demonstrations and music, rain or shine. 4-7 p.m. Free!

ONGOING EVENTS
Rain Percussions. An international exhibition curated by Margaret Niven. Radius Gallery, Studio #127. Noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.

Danzante Events & Designs. Wedding and event planning services. Studio #124. Rebecca Zaveleta.

"Emanations 2 + 2 =5," a book of poems featuring Tannery artist Tracy Majerczak is available online.

Dance Classes at Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center for all ages.

The Spring Art Market popped up at the Tannery on Sunday, April 3.

• SPRING ART MARKET •

INAUGURAL EVENT SHINES

Congratulations to Jewelry Toolery and Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild on the first-ever Spring Art Market, held Sunday, April 3, at the Tannery. The event was organized by both organizations. Under the leadership of Angela Gleason and Tese Mascari, more than 30 vendors from all over Santa Cruz County participated in the market.

Attendance was great with this inaugural event. Vendors invited their customers, passing cyclists stopped in to shop and theatergoers paused on their way to the Colligan Theater. Thank you shoppers and congratulations vendors. Let’s do it again!

Margaret Niven new show "Rain Percussions" is an international exhibition featuring 21 artists.

• PROFILE •

MARGARET NIVEN CURATES SHOW AT RADIUS GALLERY

Margaret Niven's fourth curatorial project, Rain Percussions, is on exhibition through May 8 at Radius Gallery. Rain Percussions includes the work of 21 artists from four countries working in video, sound, installation, photography, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture and painting.

Niven, an artist, art educator and arts organizer, has lived at the Tannery since the Lofts opened in 2009. From 2010-13, Niven organized the Tannery Arts Lecture Series. In addition to creating her own artwork (printmaking, drawing and painting) she teaches art at Monterey Peninsula and Cabrillo Colleges.

“As rain is the source of a river it is also the source of a healthy, balanced environment," Niven said. "It is the inspiration for so much in our culture, our folklore, music, perfume, art — everything.”