Documentary Subject: Vershawn Sanders

ART: Creativity in Four Seasons is a documentary about three young artists in Chicago who are working to create art unique to their vision.  Emerging director, Timothy Lydon, showcases the work and lives of his subjects, while exploring the underlying theme of how the artists are affected –intellectually, spiritually, creatively – by the seasons.  Red Clay Dance Artistic Director, Vershawn Sanders, is one of the film's subjects.  He will spend a year studying and filming Vershawn, as she balances the demands of her working and personal life with her commitment to developing Red Clay Dance.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdYK0XoGJs0] One of the many short works by Timothy Lydon .

Lydon writes:  While looking for the right participants for the film I met with several students, recent college graduates, and others who were well into their careers as professional artists.  But when I met Vershawn I knew her story was one I wanted to tell.  For her, creating a company was about more than self-fulfillment.  Red Clay Dance is a testament to community, culture, and a timeless art form."

Lydon continues to explain why Vershawn stood out as an ideal subject for his documentary ART: Creativity in Four Seasons:  "Vershawn is a 'purpose-driven' artist, someone who creates not for the sake of creating, although that surely gives her fulfillment, but to uplift her community and share the gift of dance with the next generation.  She looks to instruct, guide and inspire with her work.  Her energy and vision keep Red Clay Dance evolving and building relationships.  As a filmmaker it is exciting to be in the presence of someone who thinks big."

Comprised in four acts, spring, summer, fall, and winter, the story will follow the artists’ process of creativity. Vershawn is joined by Kelly Sloan, a recent graduate of the Theater School at DePaul University, and Columbia College graduate Jeffrey Levin, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in composition from DePaul.

For Vershawn, Act 1 began in March as the Red Clay dancers, and the Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble prepared for their concert in early June. Act 2 is developing, right now, as Vershawn pursues grant opportunities and works to bring forth a collaboration with Ugandan choreographer Jonas Byaruhanga, and as the Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble performs at events throughout the Chicago area this summer.

A website is under development, which will feature clips from Art: Creativity in Four Seasons, where viewers can see the documentary subjects perform around the Chicago area.  Stay tuned as Timothy Lydon follows Vershawn Sanders, Red Clay Dance, and the other subjects of Art in their journey through the seasons.