As the community continues to see more art, in particular more dance through Movement Arts Day and talk of new state of the art dance studios in the proposed Confluence Project, UWEC offers their own appetizing evening program. Dance Exchange offers an incredible blend of styles, sounds, and visceral art through movement from debuting and returning student choreographers. Julie Fox, the new UWEC dance faculty appointed Fall 2011, invites students to develop and present their craft as dance makers through a new format this fall. Students create a concept, develop original movement material, and work with their cast over the semester. They perform at three works-in-progress showings and receive critical feedback and encouragement from a panel of professionals, including professor Julie Fox and two selected local dance artists. Student choreographers receive specific direction and continue to hone their creative process, culminating in performances on December 14 and 15 at Riverside Theater on campus. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at the UWEC Service Center box-office at http://www.uwec.edu/Servicecenter/tickets/events.htm or by calling (715) 836-4636. Did I mention tickets are $5.00 each? This new process will help students grow as artists and enter the dance field with a refined personal voice as artists. Eau Claire already enjoys recognitions from many successful musicians and visual artists. Maybe this will put Eau Claire on the map as a regional center for dance artists and we’ll see the movement continue. As returning student choreographer, Katelyn Derricott, explains “Engaging in conversations about my work was eye opening and allowed me to look at this process in a new way. I know as a program we’ve learned so much. I’m really excited for the next wave of dance students at UWEC to have this experience.”