by Michelle R. Nickens
“Art has the power to connect people where words often cannot,” said Dr. Melinda Cowen. “Every culture has a story worth sharing, every artist deserves to be seen, and the arts have the power to bring people together in ways that few other things can.”
That belief is the foundation of Embrace World Cultures, the nonprofit organization Cowen leads with a mission to preserve, educate and celebrate world cultural arts through performance, film, education and community engagement. It is also the heart behind CrystalFire, the organization’s immersive world dance and wellness conference and theatrical concert experience.
Cowen is bringing CrystalFire World and Wellness Conference and “Rise of the Mythics” to the Tallahassee State College Turner auditorium, Aug. 13-16.
For Cowen, CrystalFire is more than a performance. It is a gathering place where artists from many traditions can meet, learn from one another and share their stories with audiences who may be engaging with those cultures for the first time. The event combines dance, music, costuming, lighting, multimedia, cinematography, and theatrical storytelling into an experience designed to foster education, inclusivity, and transformation.
Cowen’s background is as multifaceted as her productions. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater and Fine Art, a master’s degree in Costume Design and History and a Ph.D. in Human Sciences. She is a producer, director, choreographer, costume designer, lighting designer, cinematographer, photographer, musician, educator, and performer.
Read more on the Tallahassee Democrat.
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