We recently connected with Lexie Powell and have shared our conversation below.
Lexie, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity is the core of dance. It is a means of expression and has been an invaluable outlet for processing grief, exploring feelings, and expressing gratitude. At times that creativity can become overwhelmed by day to day life and the harsh realities of running a nonprofit. In those moments we return to the core reason why every dancer routinely goes to the studio: the joy of movement and the sense of home we’ve built in our dance community. Our creativity is kept alive by sharing a space with artists whose hearts are collectively ignited by the love of dance and using movement as a means to articulate feelings that words cannot.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Vytal Movement Dance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization based in Spokane, Washington dedicated to presenting quality concert dance in a variety of venues and providing professional performance and dance education opportunities to the Inland PNW dance community. Founded in the summer of 2016 by Founding Director, Vincas Greene, and currently under the artistic direction of Lexie Powell, the company is composed of 13 extensively trained dancers and supported by a Board of Directors, all of whom volunteer their time and share a passion for art and the important role it plays in the wellness of the community.
Throughout the year, Vytal Movement Dance presents full length dance concerts, offers community dance classes of varying levels, participates in dance education outreach opportunities, provides a studio space for artists to create and host performances, and collaborates with dancers, musicians and artists to create new works to showcase in and around Spokane.
In the 2024-2025 Season, Vytal Movement Dance will be presenting two full length concerts, including Reflecting in Color (September 27 & 28, 2024) which explores the relationship between collective and individual through the lens of movement and color. Additionally, VMD will present Translations: An evening of original music & choreography on May 16, 2025. This Spring show will feature a collaboration with composers and musicians from the Eastern Washington University music department.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As Vytal Movement Dance continues to grow, collaboration, community, and teamwork have been absolutely vital to our journey. The arts community in Spokane has been supportive of Vytal and those connections have resulted in some of the most exciting collaborative projects in our history. We also fully acknowledge that our organization is a product of the hard work of many dedicated artists and volunteers, and we would still be at the drawing board without the audiences and patrons that support us. We encourage you to connect with artists in your community and share your support by attending local events!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! We are passionate about collaborating with artists of all kinds. One of our key goals is to continue building creative works and performances with choreographers, dancers, musicians and more. Please visit vytalmovement.org or email info@vytalmovement.org to connect with us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vytalmovement.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vytal_movement/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vytalmovementdance
Image Credits
Hannah Donk, Monet Lyons, Marta Berk
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
