Amherst Storybook Project M e r L i V. G u e r r A
L u m i n a r i u m D a n c e
C o m p a n y
w w w . L u m i n a r i u m D a n c e . o r g
Amherst Storybook Project M e r l i V. G u e r r a
This book is heartily dedicated to the writers and artists of all disciplines in Amherst, MA, and the Pioneer Valley.
Luminarium performer Brittany Lombardi prepares to model for Guerra’s Eve. Projected from above: Doorway by artist Julia Griffin. Photo: Tyler Catanella, 2015. A m h e r s t S t o r y b o o k P r o j e c t
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L u m i n a r i u m D a n c e
C o m p a n y
w w w . L u m i n a r i u m D a n c e . o r g
Copyright Š 2015 by Merli V. Guerra Luminarium Dance Company All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Created in collaboration with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Supported in part by a grant through the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. IBSN 978-1-329-60859-7 First edition, paperback. Lulu Press, Inc.
Amherst Storybook Project Merli V. Guerra
Lulu Press, Inc.
Table of contents
By writer Be by Anna Viadero When the Sun Shines by Amy Gordon Poetry of the Feet by Elaine Frankonis Coffee and Contemplation by Suzanne Gaudette Somewhere on the other end by Maija Ingrida Meijers My Case for Laughter by Jordyn Cormier Red Riding by Elizabeth S. Wolf My favorite season! by Aaryn Aiken The Dawn by Richard Michelson Because of the New Paint Box by Cynthia Snow My Wild Hair by Samantha Wood Chameleon by Lahri Bond
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By Artist Eve with artwork by Julia Griffin Bursting (with Joy) with artwork by Hayden Rodrigues Jack be nimble with artwork by Joshua Donovan Morning Rituals with artwork by Kalyani Kastor How it feels to move with artwork by Sunali Rae Driver Party Lights with artwork by Maya Guerra-Greene Red Riding with artwork by Johanna R. Guiod Summer with artwork by Tsukiko Tome Bhowmik Bringing in the dawn with artwork by Libby Smith Beneath with artwork by Marit Gubrium Self-Portrait: Creativity in Motion with artwork by Piper Nyala Honey Hands with artwork by Emilia K. Mann
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Four years ago, I created Luminarium’s first Cultural Community Outreach Project, and it has since become an annual endeavor of mine—a project that uses dance and art to highlight a local historical or cultural landmark. For Luminarium’s 2015 Season, I chose to work in collaboration with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA, to create a new storybook celebrating the town’s current residents, while paying homage to the region’s deep roots in literature and children’s book art. Together with my Co-Director Kimberleigh A. Holman and our tireless dancers, I used overhead image projection and a collection of beautiful artwork gathered from young artists throughout the greater Amherst area to create the illustrations of this book. The poems and short stories highlighted beside them were inspired by these composite photographs and selected over the course of several months. After exactly one year of planning, I am proud to present the Amherst Storybook Project. With its contributors ranging in age from 2 to 75, the Amherst Storybook Project aims to encourage readers of every stage of life to lead new pathways via their own artistic pursuits—from pen to paint to pirouette. Merli V. Guerra Creator / Illustrator
Eve Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performer Brittany Lombardi, with artwork by Julia Griffin, age 29. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. Š Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
Be by Anna Viadero More than fruit, Be a seed, swinging, Comma-curled, half asleep in tall branches, Sheltered by leaves like mother’s hands With that kind of reassurance anything is possible: Dreams that blush color into a black & white life; The weight of ripeness; The moment of release; Your inner power and safe landing. Nobody expects the unexpected— A force greater than gravity or An ambush just now out of sight. Best to be a seed, then, Sit and swing, Tend your dreams completely Let them grow rosy as a furnace, round and full as bellows. Best to be, Because you can
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When the Sun Shines by Amy Gordon When the sun shines I can rise up over tall buildings. Can you hear me? I’m singing a song Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you. The diva with the chocolate truffle voice booms inside me. Can you see me? I dance the samba, & salamander along the edge of lakes, & conquer granite mountains. When the sun shines, my heart is a balloon.
Bursting (with Joy) Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra.
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Featuring performers Tyler Catanella and Amy Mastrangelo, with artwork by Hayden Rodrigues, age 7. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015. Storybook Project
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Poetry of the Feet by Elaine Frankonis Once I had feet that could dance poetry below a swirl of whirling skirts and sharp rumba reaches with arms that neither sagged nor ached, and knees that knew keen balance. Once I was a ballroom dancer. No, not the kind you see on TV; more the kind you see at weddings and think “I wish I could do that.” Or “I could do that if I took lessons.” I am dancing again, anyway, these days, despite much more prosaic moves. That sweet young dance instructor understands, instinctively, why this gray lady needs to dance, again— why her feet still seek those songs.
Jack be nimble Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performers Brittany Lombardi, Chun-jou Tsai, Tyler Catanella, Amy Mastrangelo, and Melenie Diarbekirian, with artwork by Joshua Donovan, age 14. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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Coffee and Contemplation by Suzanne Gaudette Doze, dream …golden bean… Mermaid dunkin’, crystal clear. Brewing wakes me up.
Morning Rituals Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performer Melenie Diarbekirian, with artwork by Kalyani Kastor, age 17. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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Quantum Entanglement by Maija Ingrida Meijers Somewhere on the other end Of all the light, There were two twins, One dark, One bright. And when one danced, The other one did, too. And this happened all the time. “When I wave my arms, I know you wave yours also. Though no one else can see.” Laughed the twins. “I know you are me.” They whispered each, And together clapped and sang. “One with the other, we were made!” They declared, “Never alone, And never afraid!”
How it feels to move Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performers Nikki Girroir and Chun-jou Tsai, with artwork by Sunali Rae Driver, age 2. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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My Case for Laughter by Jordyn Cormier I laugh with happiness — who doesn’t? I laugh to mourn. I laugh so very awkwardly. I laugh when it’s silent. I laugh to the walking bass line. I laugh with you, laughing at me. I laugh to live. I laugh to eventually die. I laugh until your belly roars with delight. I laugh in passion. I laugh covered in mud. I laugh silently in your glistening pupils. I laugh alone beneath the infinite stars. I laugh in a nestle of wet blankets. I laugh along the shivering tightrope of all conversation. What is wrong with you? they ask Are you deranged, a lunatic, gone mad? Perhaps. Perhaps so. But, I ask What more is there than to make each exhalation, each insignificant puff of life, a small but jubilant affirmation of love thrust outwardly upon this armored world? Party Lights Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performers Tyler Catanella, Melenie Diarbekirian, and Amy Mastrangelo, with artwork by Maya Guerra-Greene, age 2. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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Red Riding by Elizabeth S. Wolf The Big Bad Wolf has gleaming eyes and sharp teeth and he is crooning “Little Red, Little Red” and even though I probably shouldn’t, I always go to him. In my dream the wolf and I are one and I am solid, whole, soaking up space and calm to the core. In my dream
the wolf has taken up watch: I can be adrift in water in space in love. The wolf knows me and forgives anyway; sees all, doesn’t blink doesn’t flinch. I have never been bathed in acceptance before now; until the wolf opened his eyes so that I may close mine and dream.
Red Riding Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performer Nikki Girroir, with artwork by Johanna R. Guiod, age 12. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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My Favorite Season! by Aaryn Aiken My favorite season! Finally you’re here! The days of summer I wait for them all year! I look out in front of me Then yelling as I run Get ready! Get set! Here I go! I’m going to have some fun! As I dive into the water I know I am free I’m a fish, a mermaid A superhero.... No one can catch me! The coolness of the water Against my hair and skin Feels so refreshing I have to jump again!
I hear laughter around me And quickly begin to float I daze up to the clouds And see a castle with a moat White puffy castle Floating in the sky How the days of summer Sure seem to fly by!
The frogs begin the lullabies As crickets chirp along The owls add their hoots To a perfect dreamy song I slowly drift to sleep Hearing ribbits in the air Tomorrow will be fun And I’m already half way there!
Oh, the days of summer And the long warm nights Playing with one another Under sun and stars so bright
The next day The sun shines through my window And I open up my eyes I smile, thinking of the new adventures That are waiting for me outside! Oh, how I love summer!
I love the smell of flowers in the air The grass between my toes The fireflies at night The mosquitos up my nose! How the stars light up the sky So beautiful and bright Like a blanket of diamonds On a beautiful summer night
Summer Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra.
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Featuring performers Nikki Girroir, Gabby Pacheco, Nikki SaoPedro-Welch, and Alison McHorney, with artwork by Tsukiko Tome Bhowmik, age 7. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015. Storybook Project
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The Dawn by Richard Michelson From the dawn’s first low light to twilight’s last glow The world’s full of mysteries we’ll never know. The moon orbits earth and the tides are affected. No matter its form, all matter’s connected. All nature is nurtured by rays from the sun. Our souls last forever, and our spirits are one. As sure as it ebbs, our joy also rises And each day the world is full of surprises.
Bringing in the Dawn Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performer Gabby Pacheco, with artwork by Libby Smith, age 5. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
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Because of the New Paint Box by Cindy Snow
azure indigo
cornflower cobalt cerulean viridian midnight sky iris orchid ultramarine royal hyacinth slate lavender powder baby navy denim periwinkle sapphire true teal steel turquoise electric
Beneath Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra.
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Featuring performer Alison McHorney, with artwork by Marit Gubrium, age 7. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015. Storybook Project
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Self-Portrait: Creativity in Motion Composite photograph by Merli V. Guerra. Featuring performer Merli V. Guerra, with artwork by Piper Nyala, age 2. Photographic elements shot by Kimberleigh A. Holman. Š Luminarium Dance Company 2015.
My Wild Hair by Samantha Wood Every day my hair is a new scribble. I wake up in the morning and I stand in the mirror. I am short and my hair is tall. My mother once told me that there could be a small animal living in my hair, and so I lay awake all the next night waiting for it to come out. I stopped brushing my hair for a week in case the wild animal might have babies because I didn’t want to wake them up or poke them with the bristles. But I didn’t hear anything. Nothing came out of my hair. Until one night I fell asleep and I thought I could see through my sleeping eyelids a small, brown, furry creature with short legs and big eyes come slowly out of my wild hair and walk out onto my forehead. The little animal walked to my eyebrows and peered down into my eyes. It was upside down, or I was upside down. I was asleep but not really asleep, just still and silent and the little animal looked me in the eyes for a really long time. It was soft and warm and I think it might have fallen asleep for a while there but then in the morning it was gone. I missed it. My mother made me brush my hair that day. But I did it really slowly. This is a picture of my wild hair.
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Chameleon by Lahri Bond She was seven years old when her father confided in her that as a child he would hold chameleons by their tails until they would drop off, leaving him with just a long green souvenir. When he saw the look of horror on his daughter’s face, he assured her not to worry because “they always grew back.” All that summer, she collected jars of chameleon tails, waiting in vain for the elusive creatures to grow back from them. She first noticed the images that appeared on her skin when she was twelve years old. She was marveling at the crimson plumage of a robin outside her window, when two tiny red wings appeared between her shoulder blades. As she grew to become a young woman, the images would come and go depending on her moods. When she was joyful, damselflies would cover her palms and fingertips; when she was sad, dark clouds would roll across her shoulders; and when she was angry, streaks of lightning would flash between her knitted brows. When she was in love. . . Ah, when she was in love, great fields of sunflowers would blossom all over her body. Her friends, lovers and companions were chosen by what images appeared on her flesh. To have her as a friend meant that you were literally skin deep.
Honey Hands Photograph by Merli V. Guerra.
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Featuring performer Kimberleigh A. Holman, with artwork by Emilia K. Mann, age 17. © Luminarium Dance Company 2015. Storybook Project
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About the Writers
Aaryn Aiken Orange, MA Aaryn is a special education teacher who has written poetry since age seven. She takes inspiration from her son Branden, her family, and nature. Her favorite poets are Dr. Seuss and Maya Angelou. Lahri Bond Lake Pleasant, MA Lahri is a professional illustrator who often creates a painting, then writes a short story inspired by it—much as was done for this project. Jordyn Cormier Great Barrington, MA A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, Jordyn is a freelance writer, dancer, and choreographer in the Berkshires. View her writing, dance films, and wild adventures at jordyncormier.com. Elaine Frankonis East Longmeadow, MA After a decade of caregiving and moving to a new state and a new town, at age 75 Elaine has returned to the creative pleasures of ballroom dancing and writing poetry. Suzanne Gaudette Concord, MA Devoted to the visual arts, gardening, walking, theater, dance, and all things Shaker, Suzanne’s roots in Western Massachusetts run deep. Family, Berkshire vacations, a daughter at Mount Holyoke College, and an artist sister in Greenfield: all draw her back frequently to the “forgotten” part of the state. Amy Gordon Gill, MA Amy has written many books for middle-grade and young adult readers. She directs a play every spring with students from the Gill Elementary School which is performed on the Gill Town Hall stage. Maija Ingrida Meijers Shelburne, MA Maija is a writer, artist, and prayer practitioner.
Richard Michelson Amherst, MA Richard Michelson’s books have been listed among the Ten Best of the Year by The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon. He has been a finalist for the Massachusetts Book Award three times, the National Jewish Book Award three times, and is the only author ever awarded both the Sydney Taylor gold and silver medals in a single year from the Association of Jewish Librarians. Michelson hosts Northampton Poetry Radio, and was Northampton’s poet laureate from 2012–2014. This poem (a version of which was originally printed in his book S is for Seaglass) was written on the porch of his Martha’s Vineyard gingerbread cottage. Cindy Snow Shelburne Falls, MA Cindy has published poems in The Massachusetts Review, Worcester Review, Paths of Laerning, Sahara, and elsewhere. Her first chapbook Small Ceremonies debuts in 2015, published by Slate Roof Press. She works at Greenfield Community College, and enjoys yoga, walking, poetry, and singing. Anna Viadero Montague Center, MA Anna is inspired by her three grandchildren, Julianne, Emmy, and Wyatt, who teach her about motion and stillness in the most exciting ways. Elizabeth S. Wolf Merrimac, MA Elizabeth went to high school in Easthampton, college at UMass Amherst, and lived in the area until 2005. Her poems have been published in the Valley Women’s Voice and the Center for New Americans’ 30 Poems in November 2014 chapbook. Samantha Wood Greenfield, MA Samantha writes poetry, fiction, and essays; loves visual art; and is always looking for tricky questions.
About the Artists
Sunali Rae Driver Age 2 from Cummington, MA Sunali’s artwork, Dancing Drops, was used to create Guerra’s How it feels to move. Tsukiko Tome Bhowmik Age 7 from Shutesbury, MA Tsukiko’s artwork, Sun and Water—which was made when she was younger—was used to create Guerra’s Summer. Joshua Donovan Age 14 from Pittsfield, MA Joshua is 14 and heading into 9th grade at Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School in Adams, MA. Aside from art, he enjoys gaming and photoshopping. Joshua’s artwork, Untitled, was made through a project led by artist and teacher Karin Stack. It was used to create Guerra’s Jack be nimble. Julia Griffin Age 29, Astoria, NY Julia grew up in Amherst, where she spent her days taking ballet classes and drawing characters from her favorite books. She moved to New York City to study illustration and now lives in Queens, continuing to illustrate the fairy tales and myths she loved as a child. Julia’s artwork, Doorway, was inspired by Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart a Doorway, and was used to create Guerra’s Eve. Marit Gubrium Age 7 from Belchertown, MA Marit grew up in Belchertown, MA, and is heading into second grade. Her artwork, Fish in the Sea, was used to create Guerra’s Beneath. Maya Guerra-Greene Age 2 from Florence, MA Maya is a creative, smart, funny, talkative, loving, active toddler. This piece was her first time exploring with water colors, and she quickly became hooked. Maya’s artwork, Painting for Auntie, was used to create Guerra’s Party Lights.
Johanna R. Guiod Age 12 from Greenfield, MA Johanna’s artwork, Purple Coyote, was painted onto a 2-foot-by2-foot ceiling tile that is now on permanent display on the ceiling of the Greenfield Middle School art room—a project guided by artist and teacher Karen Gaudette. It was used to create Guerra’s Red Riding. Kalyani Kastor Age 17 from Amherst, MA Kalyani’s artwork, Coffee Beans, was used to create Guerra’s Morning Rituals. Kalyani is a talented oil painter. Emilia K. Mann Age 17 from Amherst, MA Emilia is a rising senior at Amherst Regional High School where she loves making abstracted, imaginary landscapes, and studying the details of nature. She is planning to go into bio-mechanical engineering. Emilia’s artwork, Bees, was used to create Guerra’s Honey Hands. Piper Nyala Age 2 from Amherst, MA Piper enjoys making strong marks on paper, and usually leaves a lot of white space, giving her work room to breathe. She might also have been working out her anger in this piece—hard to say. Piper’s artwork, Untitled, was used to create Guerra’s Self Portrait: Creativity in Motion. Hayden Rodrigues Age 7 from Ludlow, MA Hayden’s artwork, Untitled, was used to create Guerra’s Bursting (with Joy). Hayden is a precocious young dancer and artist. Libby Smith Age 5 from Greenfield, MA Libby enjoys doing and viewing all types of arts, crafts, theatre, and dance. One of her favorite places in the world is the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Libby’s artwork, Sun All Around, was used to create Guerra’s Bringing in the Dawn.
About the Creator / Illustrator Merli V. Guerra is a professional dancer and award-winning interdisciplinary artist with deep ties to the Pioneer Valley. She is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Luminarium Dance Company (Boston, MA), and a company member of Nataraj Dancers (Amherst, MA) and Deborah Abel Dance Company (Boston, MA). Merli has studied dance and performed lead roles on international tours to India (2007, 2012) and Japan (2009), while her choreographic works, dance-on-camera films, and video art installations have been selected for presentation across the country—from New England to New York to the West Coast. She designs the region’s leading periodical in contemporary arts and culture as Art Director of Art New England magazine, and is Senior Contributor to The Arts Fuse, critiquing and highlighting dance events across New England. Merli’s work with Luminarium extends beyond the traditional stage; her Night at the Tower project was recently honored as one of just three projects (out of 5,000+ across the state in 2014) to receive the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s prestigious 2015 Gold Star Award. As a result, she has just accepted a three-year appointment to the Arlington Cultural Council through 2018. Learn more about her work at merliguerra.com.
About the Company Founded in Boston in 2010 by Mount Holyoke alums Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman, Luminarium Dance Company is an awardwinning modern and contemporary dance company that is regularly hailed for its unique combination of dance and light. It is proud to present professional annual dance productions alongside its yearly community outreach programming. The company’s 24-Hour ChoreoFest, Cultural Community Outreach Project, and DANCE+ Series challenge the limits of dance while enriching community: Giving choreographers a creative overnight outlet; using dance to highlight local historical and cultural landmarks; and offering underserved youth the chance to merge dance with other fields such as science, music, technology, and light. Luminarium is more than a dance company. It was born as a new outlet for performing arts. It is a think tank, a museum, a gallery for contemporary dance and for contemporary ideas. Visit luminariumdance.org. Photos on this page: Kristyn Ulanday, 2015.
It’s no secret that Luminarium Dance Company is one of the most intelligent and innovative dance troupes in Boston. Beverly Creasey Boston Arts Review
ISBN 978-1-329-60859-7
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