ArtPrize will be in full swing — and this Friday night marks the half-time show. Amidst the downtown buzz, step into the HasHeart courtyard beneath The Spectrum Between Us and join us for an evening of slowing down, playing, and reconnecting.
This night unfolds in three parts:
- Creative connection through collage, altars, and creative play
- Mindful Movement & Somatic Exploration
- Ecstatic dance flowing into closing circle
📅 September 26th · 6–9 PM
📍 22 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 · HasHeart Courtyard in Veteran's Park
💸 Suggested Donation: $20-30 via Venmo @CurlyHost
Evening Flow:
6–6:30 PM — Arrival & Grounding with Andrea
Towels, music, and a warm welcome to co-regulate, greet, and settle into the space together.
6:30–7:30 PM — Collage & Color Altars with River
Create personal and collective collages as a means of exploring self-expression through visual means. Bring items to collage if you wish (magazines, fabric, scraps, photos), or use the supplies provided. River will also create vibrant altars to color, offering a playful, open space for creativity.
7:30–9 PM — Mindful Movement into Ecstatic Dance with Whitney
Whitney will guide gentle somatic movement that gradually opens into a whole ecstatic dance — a seamless journey from inner awareness into collective release under the rainbow.
Reflection Prompts:
Throughout the night, you’ll be invited to reflect on:
What was my favorite color when I was younger?
What color feels most true to me now?
How has my spectrum shifted — and what does that say about who I was, and who I am today?
About Ecstatic Dance:
Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement practice — no choreography, no steps to follow. Instead, it’s an invitation to let the music move you however it wants to flow through your body. Think of it as a form of moving meditation: a space for release, connection, and authentic self-expression. It’s not about how you look — it’s about how you feel. Whether big and wild, soft and subtle, or somewhere in between, Ecstatic Dance is about trusting your body’s truth in the moment.
Ecstatic Dance takes place in safe, intentional spaces that support presence, freedom, and inner exploration. To create this container, we follow a few simple guidelines:
- We dance without talking, letting movement be the language.
- We dance without outside shoes to stay grounded and care for the space.
- We dance without substances, creating a sober environment where everyone can be fully present.
What to Bring:
Suggested donation: $20 via Venmo @CurlyHost (cash donations also accepted at the event)
Optional collage materials: magazines, paper scraps, personal images
Comfortable clothes for movement & dancing
Water bottle and snacks
Facilitators:
🌟 Whitney Dawn — Somatic Coach & Creative Facilitator
whitneydawn.com
Whitney Dawn Pyles is a certified Somatic Coach, accredited Life Coach, Human Design Guide, and creative facilitator. Her 2023 ArtPrize installation, The Zone of Authenticity, tied for first place in the Juried Installation category. Now based in Columbus, Ohio, Whitney will guide the second and third phases of the night — leading participants from mindful movement into ecstatic dance and closing circle.
🌿 River — Ecstatic Dance Facilitator & Collage Guide
Featured in Andrea’s Power Portrait series in Jade Green, River has facilitated ecstatic dances in Grand Rapids and cultivated a community rooted in movement and intention-setting. Now based in Traverse City, River returns to create altars to color and guide the collage process, helping participants explore their creativity collectively and playfully.
🌈 Andrea Napierkowski — Artist & Color Guide
Founder of More ∞ Joy and creator of The Spectrum Between Us, Andrea is a textile artist and community facilitator who helps people connect to color, embodiment, and joy. She will host the arrival and co-regulation space, then (together with River) guide the first third of the evening — welcoming participants into collage, color, and creative expression as the entryway to the night’s deeper journey.
✨ Join Andrea, River, and Whitney for a Friday night that balances ArtPrize’s energy with embodied connection. This is the half-time show you didn’t know you needed.
Also check out other Arts events in Grand Rapids, Nonprofit events in Grand Rapids, Health & Wellness events in Grand Rapids.
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