Ron Rollins

2023 Collaborator Testimonial

“Working as a collaborative artist with Dayton Dance Initiative in 2023 was a dream, a joy and one of the most creative experiences I’ve ever had.

As an abstract painter, I mostly work by myself in my studio. The chance to create alongside others, and to mold my work into someone else’s ideas, is rare. I was thrilled to be selected.

The brilliant choreographer Stevie Lamblin, whose stage work I remembered from her days with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, had in mind a piece in which an artist brought to life the colors he was using on canvas. Three dancers, clad in primary yellow, red and blue, moved and blended as the living colors while the artist worked. As they danced, I painted in real time on a huge piece of clear acrylic, facing the audience, who could see my brushstrokes as the dance spun around me — until finally, the colors met the painting at the end. It was a great concept that worked perfectly.

Coincidentally, all this was coming together as I was joining the board of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and so I was getting to meet and work with dancers who I have since come to know even better. It was so cool to see them work backstage, and learn firsthand how their art comes together.

I never thought I’d have such an experience. It was so much fun. I never imagined being on a dance stage! I will forever be grateful to my friends and colleagues at the Dayton Dance Initiative, who took me in and made me feel at home.”