MOVE & GROOVE

MOVE & GROOVE has been prompted by a desire to delve deeper into our elders' life experiences and the history of the civil rights movement.

Long before the resources and opportunities were present, Michelle Gibson, Ashé's dance artist-in-residence, was inspired by the belief in the importance of igniting elders' vitality through movement. From this belief arose two performance works: Voices Not Forgotten and Voices Not Forgotten: Firsts. Both of these works derive from the notion that it is critical to preserve the vitality of human beings in their later years. Movement is an essential ingredient to preserving this vitality, especially for those who might have limited mobility.

Since 2006, Ashé Cultural Arts Center has been collaborating with the Central City EOC Senior Center on a project called "Voices Not Forgotten." This project provides opportunities for elders ranging in age from 62 to 95 to discover their personal creativity, explore what inspires them, tell their stories and share their culture. 

Currently "Voices Not Forgotten" is being cultivated on Wednesday mornings through a program called "Move & Groove." Ashé continues to develop this work (imagery) that embodies African Americans and their contributions to American History and society.

We have twelve MOVE & GROOVE participants, ranging in age from 62 to 95, who regularly participate in the visual art workshops. We have an additional four that participate occasionally. The elders' artwork is inspired by many African American visual artists, including Louisiana-born artists Clementine Hunter and Dapper Bruce Lafitte, New York-based Romare Bearden and Aaron Douglas and internationally known Elizabeth Catlett and Delita Martin. Though these artists' styles inspire the Movers & Groovers, their artwork is developed directly from their personal experiences in New Orleans. The elders' experiences fuel their personal visual expressions of spiritual traditions, love, their family and their home.