Italy Bianca Welton: (Ame-Ricana)

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond control of the artist and presenter, Gibney will present just one performance of Italy Bianca Welton’s (Ame-Ricana). Please come and support this wonderful artist on Thursday, January 10 (8:30pm).

“Understand your spiritual garden and how to water it.”

Dance artist Italy Bianca Welton’s (Ame-Ricana) springs from the red dirt of South Carolina, her ancestral home. The young artist—best noted for her work in the Bessie-nominated cast of Marguerite Hemmings’ we free—draws from the spiritual practices and South Carolina’s culture of Black southern herbal healers and farmers. The unusual title of her solo evokes the memory of her maternal great grandmother who always advised that, to neutralize harm caused by racism and the media, Black people must remember they are truly soul-rich. (Think, áme + rico).“Always know your worth,” Welton’s grandfathers’ motto.

On the deepest, most personal level, (Ame-Ricana) pays homage to Welton’s family legacy. It depicts a journey of return to center, sanctuary and healing for the child within. Yet, the work also looks outward, speaking to the condition of American society, so in need of a courageous restoration of the soul.

For Welton, the path of (Ame-Ricana) extends on and continues to beckon. She asks, “Do I stay in the familiar, steady in all aspects, or search some more and find out what I don’t know?”

Filled with the music of the southern hip hop, soul and R&B, (Ame-Ricana) seeks the heartbeat of forbidden drums and the wisdom passed on from generations of mothers to daughters.

“Italy’s choreography is honest, inventive, and rooted in her identity as a Black southern woman with deep spirituality. She is using movement to put “positive vibes” (as she would say) into the ether, and I’m grateful for that. We need it.” — Sydnie L. Mosley, SLMDances

“Italy’s expansive movement vocabulary explores transformational liberation and healing. From touching upon personal traumas to collective traumas she taps into the souls of those who witness her work, so they may begin their own healing journey, and I am here for that.” — Kayla Hamilton

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Italy Bianca Welton is a multimedia artist raised in South Carolina and currently living in New York. She received a B.A. in Dance Education and Dance Performance and Choreography from Coker College. She has also trained at New York’s Joffrey Ballet School in their Jazz and Contemporary dance program.

She has collaborated with the Aeternus Dance Company, Asha Dance Company, Crystal Waters, Fiyah Dancehall Theater, J Nahtae, K. Hamilton Projects, Melanie Greene, Marguerite Hemmings, Michael Ray Okoasia, and Sydney L. Mosley Dances. She was nominated for a Bessie Award for Outstanding Performer in 2017 as part of the cast of Hemmings’ we free, and appeared in Crystal Waters’ “I am House” video in 2018.

Italy explores her southern roots through expressive contemporary movement, photography and film. Her work aims to motivate people to experience the true essence of evolution and freedom.

Following in the footsteps of her mother—a musician and educator—Italy discovered a passion for teaching dance to youth, contributing to her community by curating dance workshops and offering mentorship. Her work spotlights the importance of mental health, self-determination, spiritual and personal development, helping others bring their authentic selves to light as she shares her own creative journey.

ACCESSIBILITY

The accessible entrance for this location is located at 280 Broadway. Please note that this is a shared entrance with the New York City Department of Buildings. To access the elevator, attendees may be asked to provide a valid photo ID and go through building security, including a metal detector.

Requests for reasonable accommodation or for access to the 280 Broadway entrance after 5:00 pm or on the weekend should be made three days in advance by contacting Elyse Desmond at 646.837.6809 (Voice only), or by e-mailing elyse@gibneydance.org.

Photo by Mike Metz.