Editor’s Note:  The following was written by Marjorie Stoneman about Studio 84’s Dance Program.
Update: Photos from the Studio 84’s performance at the Multicultural Heritage Showcase are added to the bottom of the article.

Joy and laughter dances at Studio 84.  Many know Studio 84 as a place for people of all abilities to come to paint, draw, and work with clay and ceramics.  A new program offered is dance. 

And what a wonderful dance it is.  An incredibly talented dancer herself, Margaret Wheeler donates her time each week to bring joy, laughter and dance to Whitewater’s Studio 84 at 121 West Center Street. Stuart Nagy and Steven Paprocki benefit from her talents each week.  They are regular dancers and artists at Studio 84.  Each Tuesday they travel from Hales Corners to spend the day creating art and dancing.

Margaret Wheeler brings an enthusiasm that brightens the studio and makes everyone happy, including visitors.

Dancers Stuart and Steven are definitely joyful as they dance choreographed pieces that are meaningful and fun.  One of the recent performances was danced to “Invisible” by Hunter Hayes.  The anti-bullying theme was powerfully put into dance and featured each dancer’s personal experiences.  Margaret asked each of the dancers to take what could be considered a negative and turn it into a positive.  They danced and used posters to share their messages.  For Stuart, “Hiding” was converted to “Being Seen.”  For Steven, “Shy” was converted to “Quiet Confidence.”  One of the other students created “Autism is Amazing.” 

People with all abilities are invited on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. to join the dance class.  Each dancer pays $15 per hour to participate and all proceeds are donated by Margaret to Studio 84.  More information and sign-up information can be found at:  www.studio84inc.org.

“We pick songs that feature fun, positive, non-bullying, and even awe-inspiring themes,” said Margaret.

The class begins with warm-up stretches and then they proceed to choreographed dance segments.

Margaret said, “I love the people, the atmosphere, to be there with all of the art.  The people I meet are so creative…and dance adds to that.”

Margaret Wheeler earned a Master’s Degree in Dance from Mills College, Oakland, CA and has taught and choreographed since the 1980’s.  She has a Certificate of Adaptive Dance from the Boston Ballet and from the American Dance Festival. Previously, she was Director of the Dance Program at Fisk University, Nashville, TN and she created the Parabolic Dance Company in Helena, MT in which all proceeds from concerts were donated to nonprofit organizations.

When she isn’t donating her time dancing, she spends her time as an International Employment and Immigration Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Her dance class has performed at the Multicultural Event through the Whitewater Unified School District and is available for other venues.   Anyone interested in having a performance at their location or event should contact Studio 84 at info@studio84inc.org.

Margaret said, “Being in this space makes me happy – but mostly the people.  People can do anything.”

Dance is just one of the arts featured at Studio 84.  Stuart can often be found at the Whitewater City Market selling his pottery to help raise funds for Studio 84.  He has been involved in Studio 84 for about seven years and said, “I just love doing the arts.” And of dance he said, “It’s fun.  And it gets me energized.”

Benjamin Kelly, a director at Studio 84, said, “I would like to see the studio continue and expand – reaching more people.”  Studio 84 services much of Southern Wisconsin.

Volunteers like Margaret are crucial to the group to sit with artists as they create, help with administration, and assist with other tasks.  Donations also keep the doors open, help with supplies, and more.  Funds are welcome and so are art supplies. 

Their website says, “Studio 84 is a nonprofit art studio, gallery and store.  We specialize in the creative and vocational development of people with disabilities including those with Autism, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities, cognition delays and mental illness.  We believe in creating an environment of inclusion. Open to all ages and all abilities.”

Margaret is also working with the City of Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department to offer evening classes at the Whitewater Armory. More information about Studio 84 and the dance programs can be found at www.studio84inc.org or by calling 262-473-9845.

Studio 84 will be exhibiting art at the Whitewater Arts Alliance Gallery in downtown Whitewater through October 27.  There will be an opening reception on Saturday, October 12, Noon to 4 p.m. with a brief gallery program introducing the exhibit at 1 p.m.  The exhibit can be viewed during the following open gallery hours as well: Thursday-Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W Main St. Whitewater. 

Update: Photos below from Studio 84’s performance at the Multilingual Heritage Showcase on May 11 are courtesy of Tom Ganser.