Elemental Play
A nature inspired exploration through aerial dance & flow arts
Retreat: $150-$225 (single day pass available) | Meal plan: $75-$150 | Optional on-site lodging: $25-$150
Spend a glorious weekend flying, flowing, moving and expressing, in cultivation of beauty and wonder, within an intimate and restorative sanctuary.
This is an opportunity to learn from experienced teachers and one another, to hone your skills and try new modes of expression and play. You’ll have opportunities to fly on multiple aerial apparatuses on outdoor rigs, dance with fire and LED flow toys, and create crafts out of natural materials. No matter your level of experience, we welcome you! We’ll truly have something for everyone.
Relax! Enjoy! Soak in the forest, sit around the fire, contemplate the night sky, share and be inspired. Let’s see what we feel and what we create. We’re here for movement, connection, rest, and balance.
This event is an Elemental Aerial Arts production in collaboration with Wild Life Refuge.
Workshops
Earth - Forest fae dance, yoga and mobility, nature craft with watercolor and cyanotype, partner dragonstaff, poi
Air - Forest and meadow flying on aerial rigs and lollipop, harness, sling, mermaid flying, silk fan dance, unique apparatuses
Fire - Butane bubbles, fire poi, lounge at the campfire
Water - Mermaid pool photoshoot
Space is limited - register now to reserve your day pass or overnight spot. We have a small number of shared-room and camping options available at Wild Life Refuge. There are also numerous local hotels, as close as five minutes away. Learn more about our range of accommodations here.
Facilitators
Jess Clark created Elemental Aerial Arts in 2023 to connect her passions for nature and the many forms of aerial dance that she has cultivated for decades. Elemental performances embody the fluidity of water, freedom of air, intensity of fire, and grounding force of earth. Jess’ extensive teaching experience brings deep familiarity with silks, lyra, trapeze, mermaiding, fire, chains, Spanish web, cube, rope, yoga, and many other established and invented apparatuses and expressions. Her training in body mechanics, anatomy, and movement theory supports safe, effective, and personalized training programs for students of all levels. Backed by a strong commitment to ongoing professional development, Jess holds numerous certifications in aerial instruction, rigging and safety. She is known for fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that meets students where they are, prioritizes safety and solid technique, and nurtures creative expression and play. Her comprehensive understanding of both the artistic and technical aspects of aerial performance enable delightful permutations of skill development, performance and collaboration.
Becki Arellano is an endless dabbler and explorer who loves to learn and share. She loves creating things and has been sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, block printing and cultivating many other arts for her entire life. She has studied aerial arts such as silks, sling, and lyra for more than a decade, and practiced flow arts such as poi, rope dart, and silk fans for longer than that. She is a member of Madison Circus Space, former cast member of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and collaborator in many performances and creative ventures. She loves traveling and has lived in India and South Korea when not in her home state of Wisconsin.
Eli Wu is a fire performer with 10 years of experience and an emphasis on safety. They started and coproduced the annual Madison Circus Space fire show for three years with the goal of creating a safe and welcoming environment for performers who are newer to fire arts. They also have a background in technical arts and were on the board of the Bodgery, a grassroots makerspace of 700 members, where they taught classes in glassblowing, crafts, and screenprinting. Their main performing apparatus is dragonstaff.
Our illustrious retreat facilitators also include Stina Alvarez and Ben Ziemann
Find more details about each of the individual workshops, activities, daily scheduling, what to bring, and more at Elemental Aerial Arts. Message Jess, Tona, or any of the other instructors with questions or for assistance in registering. We can’t wait to see you here!