“One of the most exciting parts of this journey is in knowing that there is so much more to learn, explore, and pursue. The Arts Council of Indianapolis, in granting me this Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, has done exactly what it endeavored to do! It has renewed, refreshed, and sparked me! I am energized and motivated to continue the journey in dance photography!”
Heather has worked as a professional dancer, actress, and musician for the majority of her career. For her Creative Renewal experience, she wanted to learn more about visual arts and focus on dance photography. She needed to step away from the stage and step behind the lens of the camera. “One of the beautiful, yet tragic aspects of dance is its fleeting nature; once it is given, it is gone. But, truly gifted photographers who are well equipped, well studied, and passionate for their craft have the ability to capture the dynamics and essence of movement.”
With specific goals and strategies at hand, Heather studied at the Herron School of Art and Design, and also worked diligently to make photographic connections, and shadowed working photographers. Heather attributes her renewal with allowing her to see her art and profession in a new perspective. She set out to learn dance photography, but she realized that by attending events and scheduling photo shoots, she was also improving her own work by studying dance. “I am becoming a better dancer, a more supportive patron of other arts organizations, a more connected artist, and a refreshed and revitalized person.”
Dancer, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre
Originated roles in new ballets including Mother Mary in Superhero and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Disco
Bachelor of Music, Indiana University; Trained in ballet under Jürgen Pagels and Marina Svetlova
