Performance Art Intensive

Art changes things. Art brings us together. Art transforms...

You already knows this. You also know that true transformation is amplified in community. That love and joy are courageous, creative acts. 

Maybe you want to build your portfolio of art or performance experiences. Maybe you are facing a big transition in your life.

Maybe you are distressed and despondent about the state of the world and want to surround yourself with other creative, conscious people who know that Art helps.

Maybe you are seeking greater grounding and resiliency. Maybe you crave connection with other creative people...

...If so, this program is for you. Welcome!

What is PAI?

The Performance Art Intensive is an intergenerational, community-based retreat that culminates in a public performance. In just one week, 16 participants come together to build, rehearse and perform an experimental Performance Art piece for a live audience. 

PAI harnesses the transformative power of collective creativity to build deep, authentic relationships, develop boundary-pushing Art, and sharing it with the public.

The PAI performance will be intricate and evocative: "Through visually dynamic craftscapes and soundscapes, we will weave ourselves back into wholeness, align with the creative and destructive cycles of nature, ritualize the movements, materials and metaphors of Craft practice and invite the audience to witness the fruits of our collective labor."

-Summer Hills-Bonczyk (PAI Creator & Director)

Testimonials from Past Participants:

"Having worked in the social justice field for over a decade, I know that PAI has a liberatory design. The many creative and intersectional parts of this project were transformational as opposed to transactional. It was incredibly sophisticated."

"There aren’t enough opportunities like this… for individuals to set aside time to do internal healing through art while in community. The movement practices, group activities, healing ceremonies, meditation, etc. felt both personal and collective. PAI is unique."

"The closeness of the group was established because we had a shared goal - the show must go on, you know? People initially signed up because they were interested in the performance. Throwing a diverse group of people into the crucible of performing Art -  I can’t think of a better way to break down barriers."

"There were things we did in the retreat that were shared visually on stage during the performance: Like inviting people to write a word on a piece of clay and then grind it up in that machine. There was a ripple effect - the people who participated had access to deep transformational experiences. But it didn't stop there. The performance offered that same transformational effect to the audience."