Inspiring for 30 years.....
In 2019 we reflected on a wonderful 30 years by collecting 30 quotes from different people about how Corali had inspired them. We hope you enjoy taking a moment to read these (preferably over a cuppa!)…
#30 / 30
‘What an amazing anniversary year 2019 has been! THANK YOU to the whole Corali team for making it happen, you are all such an inspiration. Here’s to the next 30 years - starting with Adieu by Thick & Tight show - see you there!’
- Sarah Archdeacon - Corali’s Artistic Director
Image by @joncarchdeacon
#29 / 30
‘I love the way Corali sees people absolutely as individuals but brings them together in such harmony to create beautiful works of art. I am proud to be part of this outstanding company which is showing that artists with a learning disability belong in the mainstream. Here's to the next exciting chapter’
- Jennifer Dyer, Corali General Manager
Image of Paul Davidson performing at our 30th Anniversary Bash at POP Brixton, photo by @joncarchdeacon
#28 / 30
‘I love Corali for their originality of ideas – they have always offered a unique perspective of the world in their work. I love them also for their stylishness both in set design and costumes and how they embrace difference. But most of all I love the committed and generous performances that each company member gives time after time’.
- Josephine Leask, dance critic
Image at Testing, Testing Testing @Tate taken by @joncarchdeacon
#27 / 30
'I love being part of Corali, I get to show people I am a dancer and that feels wonderful. It doesn't matter if you have a disability, just do it, give dance a try!'
- Jackie Ryan, Corali Artist
Image of Jackie by Jon C Archdeacon
#26 / 30
‘Skills, beauty, quality, generosity, grace, constant surprise, so much fun – all these words and more come to mind when I think of the truly inspirational history and experience of Corali.’
- Liz Ellis, friend, former Corali trustee, Policy Advisor Communities and Diversity at Heritage Lottery Fund
Image by Jon C Archdeacon from Corali's Tea Time Conversations, The Place 2019
#25 / 30
‘Corali is about giving people with learning disabilities the opportunities to perform at places like Laban and Brit School. I am always happy and excited to perform’
- Theo Nsorom, Kick Up Dancer
Image by Jon C Archdeacon
#24 / 30
C for Capable
C for Caring
C for Charming
C for Cheerful
C for Classy
C for Colourful
C for Courageous
C for Companionship
C for Cool
C for Confident
C for Creative
C for Champions
C for Can-do
C for Corali
- Hydar Dewachi, photographer, filmmaker, lover of Corali
Photo from Tate Late 2018, taken by @joncarchdeacon
#23 / 30
'My 16 years so far with Corali: finding joyous moments of surprising magic in a movement; an unexpected tangent that takes an idea suddenly somewhere more interesting; seeing creative artists grow, find a voice, and inspire others (as I learn and am inspired myself).'
- Jacobus Flynn, Corali's Associate Artistic Director
Photo of Jacobus and Jackie working on our Fluxbox Project
#22 / 30
'Coming to Kick Up means I am part of a diverse crew of people with lots of aspiration and creativity'
- Fabian Ofori, Kick Up Dancer
Image of Fabian, DJ and Sherri at British Museum’s Lottery Big Draw Project
Photo by @joncarchdeacon
#21 / 30
'Corali are a joy to work with; their rigour, dedication and progressive approach to dance as an art form has inspired me as much, if not more, than some of the top artists and companies I’ve had the pleasure to work with.'
- Daniel Hay-Gordon, Dancer, Choreographer, Filmmaker, Performer and CoFounder of Thick & Tight
Image is one of Corali's favourites from the archives! Jackie and Danny rehearing for Technicolour Everyday, photo by @JonCArchdeacon
#20 / 30
'As someone that came into dance later in life, I wasn’t sure how my career would be shaped. I found Corali 10 years ago, and I can say that this journey hasn’t only shaped and challenged my dance career more than I could of imagined, it has also been a constant inspiration working with so many unique people that all share a value for individual creativity. I am honestly privileged to be a part of the Corali family.'
- Kasia Masloswka, Corali Associate Artist and Facilitator
Photo of Kasia and company dancer Graham taken by @JonCArchdeacon
#19 / 30
'Corali is one of the brightest lights in my four decades-plus history of watching dance-based performance, and for many reasons, among them the company's open-hearted, enquiring and revelatory sense of creativity. Few ensembles know how to play so artfully while also shining individually. Every encounter with them has been a distinct pleasure.'
- Donald Hutera, dance writer (The Times), curator, dramaturg and performer
Image from Technicolour Everyday at The Place, March 2019 photo @joncarchdeacon
#18 / 30
‘I love coming to Kick Up to dance, I take part and its nice to be around other dancers and be part of a group that performs to audiences’
- Nicola Corcoran, Kick Up Dancer and Professional Development Class participant
Image taken at the British Museum’s Big Draw, photo @joncarchdeacon
#17 / 30
'Watching Corali in rehearsal and performance is a delight! The company's ability to develop such mastery from each dancer and empower them to devise and realise their own creative ideas is an exquisite example of how we should all be connecting with each other to see the incredible potential we each have.'
- Zara Rush, Corali's Producer
Image taken at Tea Time Conversations, held at The Place in March 2019. The event brought together arts professionals to talk about establishing learning disabled artists to be recognised as artists.
Photo by @joncarchdeacon
#16 / 30
“My thoughts about Corali… I love touring and dancing with Corali and meeting and working with new people. It’s always a fresh new adventure! I have learnt so much in the 14 years of working with Corali”
- Graham Evans - Corali Dance Artist
Image of Graham performing in Technicolour Everyday at The Place 2019, photo by @joncarchdeacon
#15 / 30
“Being with Corali Dance Company I am always around positive, creative, lively and fun people. I think people with a learning disability should have their own voice and speak up in their own way, and Corali helps me do this!”
- Bethan Kendrick - Corali Dance Artist
Image of Bethan performing her solo work Under Curve, Over Curve at The Place 2019, photo by @joncarchdeacon
#14 / 30
'Corali generates so many ideas and discussions that broaden people's perception of disability arts. I have been lucky enough to see the transformational work that Corali does through its participatory and professional artwork and it has been a real pleasure to be part of that journey. Corali has nutured the creative minds of many and I look forward to the next 30 years of adventures.'
- Andrea Swainson, and this week launches her promotion to Engagement & Outreach Manager for Corali - we are thrilled! Thank you for all your work and dedication over the years!
Image of Andrea working on our Action Research Project 2019
#13 / 30
When bridges are built
Across oceans and land,
Opportunities transpire
Connections form shapes
That creativity inspire
A common language
Through movement is spoken,
Uniqueness is celebrated in our dance
And so the bridge continues to stand,
When every artist is given their chance.
- Carly Butler - Associate Artist & Facilitator
Image of Carly & DJ on their recent trip to Jakarta 2019 as part of a British Council Project with Impermanence Dance Theatre
#12 / 30
'Corali is a wonderful example of how society should be'
- Michael Wicherek, Artistic Director, Box Clever Theatre Company
Image of Corali making Find Your Way Bethlem Gallery photo by @joncarchdeacon
#11 / 30
'It's good to have Corali. Since joining the company I have gained a huge amount of skills and knowledge. They teach and support in a way that I understand and can grow as a person and a dancer'
- Nicole Jackson - Corali Support Artist
Image: Nicole facilitating on Corali's Dance and Performance Workshop Course at Morley College.
#10 / 30
'I think what impresses me about Corali is the quality of the work. Their performances are a fire of imagination and wonder.'
- Leon Clowes, Development Manager, Drake Music
Image: Adieu performed in Corali with Invited Guests Thick & Tight at The Place in March 2019
#9 / 30
'Anybody can be an artist. What you have to do is find a way to get to the heart of a performer and Corali do that; they pull the best out of everybody.'
- David Natt, Parent of Corali Artist Paul Davidson
Image: Bethan Kendrick and Julie Cunningham in a research and development rehearsal, photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#8 / 30
'When Corali is on stage I can’t help but notice what accomplished artists they have become through the years. Their professionalism and creativity never cease to amaze me.'
- Marianne Rouvier-Angeli, Corali Associate Artist
Image: Corali at British Museum Big Draw 2018 - photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#7 / 30
'Corali is about developing skills and creativity. When we are all together we are ability not disability.'
- Paul Davidson, Corali Dance Artist
Image: Kick Up performing Bowled Over at Guy’s Hospital - photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#6 / 30
'Corali has inspired me because I see people express themselves in the most amazing ways, sometimes when they’ve spent their lives being told they lack the ability to express themselves.'
- Dr Simon Jarrett, Corali Trustee
Image: Corali Ident Workshop at Tate - photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#5 / 30
'Corali has always challenged me to think about the role an artist has in society. It reminds me how important it is for us all to be seen and recognised as creative individuals.'
- Daniel Weaver, musician and composer for Corali
Image: Bethan Kendrick and Daniel Weaver in Under Curve, Over Curve at The Place, March 2019. Photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#4 / 30
'Corali has really changed my life forever for the future. It's given me extra skills to be recognised for my creativity.'
- DJ Hassan, Corali Dance Artist
Image: DJ in rehearsal for Technicolour Everyday, photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#3 / 30
‘Working with Corali inspired me to be a better communicator, dance maker and friend. I have had some of my favourite times in the studio with Corali dancers - their generosity, talent and commitment is a joy to be around and the vision of Sarah and her colleagues is an inspiration. Here’s to the next 30 years!’
- Jasmine Wilson, Director of Learning & Engagement, Studio Wayne McGregor
Image: Paul Davidson performing Dreams of Flying Reworked at The Place, photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#2 / 30
‘Corali makes me so grateful, learning how to travel, warm up and develop as a dancer.’
- Veneshia Bailey, Corali Dance Artist
Image: Veneshia in dress rehearsal for Technicolour Everyday, photo by Jon C Archdeacon
#1 / 30
‘When you work with people whose creativity inspires you, continuously surprises you and who are great fun, then time just disappears. 25 Corali years in my case and what an incredible journey it continues to be...’
- Bridget Chew, Associate Director, Corali
Image: Kick Up performing Bowled Over at U.Dance 2019 / Photo by Roswitha Chesher