No, I do not teach some strange new age dance form; although, those who have seen me dance may think so!

Visiondance has two meanings to me. One is physical and one is spiritual. The physical part of this 'word' also answers the second question of 'What is a scenic?' A scenic (artist) originates from the art of creating scenery for the theatre. You can also see the title scenic in movie credits referring to the set painter.

The techniques, styles, and methods of the scenic are unique and traditional dating back to late Renaissance theatre. The methods are to me very much like a dance. Scenics often work on a team and have their own physical language of creating a painting together. Each artist on the team understands the visual language of design, paint, and physical skills needed for large paintings to be created through many different processes. These processes of creating scenery are often carried out on a huge paint deck; like a dance floor. The "scenic dancers" sweep across large canvases with mysterious and often handmade paint tools to create their vision.

The spiritual meaning of visiondance refers to the Australian Aborigine spirtual-dreamstate-journey they call a visionquest. I believe in creating environments for people's own personal idea of their own visionquest, or their own dance! Décor and imagery from diverse cultures and artists exist together in my studio 'library' of references. My dance is a dance of diverse visions which hopes to inspire community, tolerance, knowledge, the rhythm & spirit of life, and just plain "arts for art's sake"- that's appreciating beauty! 'cause we all need a little beauty in our lives!

ABOUT LIDA SMITH WITHERSPOON

I enjoy working with other people of vision and have sixteen years of painting experience in the arts & entertainment industry. My visual styles are heavily influenced by live music, dance, theatre, diverse cultures and nature.

- BFA in Theatre Technology & Design from UNCG and four years of design study at The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

- Work in the Triad for sixteen years on over fifty entertainment productions; including, Scenic Charge for the grand opening show Suddenly Last Summer for Triad Stage on Elm Street in Greensboro.

- Work as a residential carpenter. Contract sales-person at Guilford Builder's Supply. Also sold and mixed Ben Moore paints.

- Participant in meetings for the revitalization of downtown Greensboro.

- Work for John Saari Designs & Displays; including, scenic painting on the Historical Museum of Greensboro's "5 By O' Henry ".

- Regularly attend and work on music and art festivals throughout N.C. and beyond; including, painted tapestries and décor for five Smilefests productions.

- Attend national conferences on theatre technology in the southeast hosted by the South Eastern Theatre Conference based in Greensboro, NC.