Focussed Mentorship in Performance Art with Sharon Alward

Saturdays and Sundays, April 20 and 21, and May 4 and 5, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at MAWA
329 Cumberland Ave., 2nd floor

Application deadline: Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024, at noon

For women and gender-diverse MAWA members

Cost to successful applicants: $100

Performance Art, or Live Art as it is sometimes referred to, is the act of doing. It is not re-doing or re-enacting. Performance Art is action and communication. Artists have often turned to performance as a way to break down traditional categories—to test new ideas and find new directions—or to rejuvenate their creative practice.

Participants will conceive of and create a series of performance works. Art will be a process, not a goal. Paradox, ambivalence, ambiguity, complexity and uncertainty will be encouraged.*

This Focussed Mentorship will focus on elements such as body, space, time and materiality. Project topics will range from autobiographical narratives to political issues affecting the body—sexuality, ethnicity, health, ecology, government intervention, ritual and magic. The Focussed Mentorship will appeal to those who are willing to blur the distinctions between art and life.

The time together will focus on an art practice of discovery, exploring the unknown and devising actions as experiments in order to learn something that you don’t already know.

*Encouraged: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.

Please send the following to Adriana at [email protected], with “Performance” in the subject heading:

• 3-5 images of your work in any medium or links to two short video clips (3 minutes or less)
• a brief, one-page letter explaining your interest in this Focussed Mentorship that includes information about your art/creative background and any life experiences that you think might be relevant and make you a good candidate

Alward will select a limited number of participants.

There is no fee to apply, but you must be a MAWA member. If you are not, please also submit a membership form and payment. MAWA membership costs $30/year or $15 for those with a low income.