Story Tapestries is a leading arts service organization that increases accessibility and equity in educational and community spaces through:
1) professional performances in storytelling, theater, dance, spoken word and other art forms in a variety of public spaces;
2) workshops and in-depth training programs to build students of all ages’ ability to use the performing, visual, and literary arts to develop their voices, share their stories and increase their literacy, social-emotional and STEAM skills; and
3) collaborations with other service-providing organizations as a means to spark open community dialogue that promotes social justice and inclusivity and shifts the power dynamic, breaking down the barriers that apparently divide us to connect with our humanity and bring light to our likenesses.
Our vision is to make the arts, in all of its forms, a part of daily life for every person.
About the Artist
Arianna Ross creates entertaining, educational programs that weave the power of storytelling, dance, theatre, creative writing, visual art and music together. A master educator and performer who offers a wide variety of arts integration residencies, performances and professional development workshops, Ross uses the tools of her art forms to help students foster a deeper connection to the subjects they’re learning, be it language arts, math, science, geography, or social studies, and guide the teachers to incorporate the arts into their lesson plans. She is trained to create an inclusive atmosphere in her classroom focusing on the abilities of her students and not the disabilities. For nearly two decades, she has performed and taught youth and adults in the US, India, Brazil and Canada in schools, colleges, concert halls, and hospitals. She has executed programs for organizations such as the Smithsonian, East TN State University, United Arts Council of Raleigh, Young Audiences of MD, Washington Performing Arts, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. Arianna's mantra has always been, “It is through the laughter and tears of our tales that the lessons of life are learned.”Artist's Statement
My mantra has always been, "It is through the laughter and tears of our tales that the lessons of life are learned." Furthermore, I believe that every person has a story and a perspective, and every story is valuable. After college, I studied and performed with Bansi Kaul in India. His plays wove together music, dance, and laughter. He used traditional tales and historical facts merged with political issues to highlight who and what needed to change for people to rise above their circumstances. Upon returning, I crafted performances whereby my words knit the fabric of my ideas; my body told the story, my visual images created the backdrop, and my music a soundscape. I continue to use a blend of personal narratives, historical events, folk tales, and other true stories to devise my performance pieces. My process allows me to incorporate the voice of the community into the message of my work, furthering the vision of creating a space for everyone's story and for change to occur.Arts in Education
Audiences Types: Grades Pre-K – 2, Grades 3-5, Middle School (6-8 grade), High School (9-12 grade), Creative Aging (Older Adults), LGBTQ+ community, People experiencing Homelessness, English Language Learners, Educators