We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marybeth Tereszkiewicz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marybeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Throughout my life, I have been involved with many meaningful projects as both an artist and educator. I have taught the discipline and freedom provided by the Arts to students in the US, Africa, China and South America One such project is working with the David Rattray Foundation in South Africa. (Now called KHULA Education Foundation). Musician Vernon Bush and I created a summer Arts Program for the young people of rural KwaZulu Natal which used the visual and performing arts to create cross-cultural understanding and curiousity as well as help to develop an expansive sense of their position in the larger world context. The first program had a noticiable positive impact on the children as they returned to the classroom after summer, so we were invited back a second time and the program was expanded to include children from all of the rural schools in the area.

Marybeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My life as an artist has had many facets: dancer, actor, choreographer, visual artist, performance artist, and teacher. For over 20 years, I performed professionally as a dancer around the world. Dance is at the core of all her creations. The visceral experience of expressing emotions through the body is the fuel behind all of my work. In whichever avenue of expression I am working, I focus on the same three aspects: dynamic energy/movement, vibrant composition, and compelling narrative.
As well as being an visual and performing artist, I have a Masters of Education in the Arts and was Director of the School of Art Education at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California for 8 years. Throughout all of my education and experiences, my pursuit has always been to improve the lives of individuals and communities—both locally and globally—through visual and performing ART e.g. 2012-13 I created/ directed the ‘Tree of Life Arts Program’  in rural Kwa- Zulu Natal, South Africa. In 2016-17 was invited to present on the topic of Contemporary Art Education at International Art Education forums held in Hangzhou and Beijing China. In 2017, I was chosen by the California State Teaching Commission to be the Lead Assessor for K-12 Art Teaching Credential.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I was an Undergraduate, many years ago, I was very political and applied to and got into law schools as I wanted to make an impact on the world as an advocate for underrepresented people – At that time, I did not allow myself to take my desire to be a performing and visual artist seriously. While traveling after I graduated, I had an spiritual epiphany – as many of the countries I visited had huge respect for the role of an artist – unlike the US. I realized that I was not being true to my own talents by listening to my family, friends and the US culture who were saying I was too smart not to go to Law school. That summer I drastically changed the course of my life, deciding not to start Law school in the Fall and instead follow the path of a creative person. (Many of my friends thought I had lost my mind!). 40 years later, I remain in gratitude my inner spirit that directed me at that young age to follow my authentic self. My original intention of using my critical thinking skills as a lawyer in service to others- combined with my creative thinking skills to create a life that remains extremely fulfilling and meaningful.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

As a creative person (as well as a person who teaches people how to nurture their own creativity) – I think what is not understood is how the arts are a powerful language – that is universal and will open the doors to experiences that non-creatives may not understood. I have traveled to many countries where the culture and people ostensibly were very different from me. Within a day, however, I was able to deeply connect with these people, through sharing the universal langauges of music, dance and visual art. That immediate connection and the mutual desire to emotionally and spiritually communicate between cultures is a profound experience – that nothing else compares too. We live in a era of epidemic loneliness – I believe that the arts is a beautiful way to fill that void.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: visual_dancer
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
The poster for my lecture/demonstration “Contemporary Dance and Artistic Creation” in HangZhou China was created by Min Jie Zhang. All other photos were taken with my own camera.