A Proud Moment for Borderless Arts

By Lori Kissinger, Executive Director, Borderless Arts –

It was such an honor for Borderless Arts Tennessee to represent the United States in Egypt at the Awladna International Forum for Arts for the Gifted April 27 through May 4 in Cairo, Egypt. Our group was one of 23 invited groups from 31 different countries. It was a proud moment when 31 flags were brought in and then came the United States. As our dancers took the stage in front of over 4000 people, they announced “representing the United States is Borderless Arts.”

Our Movement Connection dance program, a program for individuals with Down Syndrome, performed on the international stage. They wore costumes made by our Teapot Diplomats visual arts program under the artistic direction of Dee Kimbrell of Hendersonville. Teapot Diplomats are young adults with any form of disability but many are on the Autism spectrum. Borderless Arts participants include Caitlin Bernstein (dancer), Danielle Clement (Movement Connection Dance Program Artistic Director), Grace Dodd (dancer), Lori Kissinger (Borderless Arts Executive Director), and Hope McKee (Teapot Diplomat costume creator and dancer). The group performed at other times as well and met with several individuals at the forum.

The group also got the opportunity to visit some of the amazing sites of Cairo. It was a very busy few days and I could not have been prouder of our group.