We recently heard about the passing of Patricia Nanon, founder of The Yard, an important residency center for dance on Martha’s Vineyard. This summer, Misnomer had the honor to meet Patricia Nanon. We were in residence at The Yard, creating a new work, and she came to watch our rehearsals and performance. Patricia came up to me after one of my rehearsals to give me her feedback, as a choreographer herself, and a long-time observer and member of the dance community. At 84 years old she was sharp, decisive and graceful - the feedback she gave me was thoughtful and useful and I felt that we were participating in the artistic connection and dialogue which is part of what makes this art field so special.
We thank Patricia for her vision and dedication to the field of dance, and to the performing arts at large. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of artists, known and unknown, have had the good fortune to work in the focused and peaceful residency center that she created, and The Yard is as vital as it has always been.
David Dorfman, who was also a resident at The Yard writes, “There are few choreographers and dancers working in the U.S. today who have not benefited greatly from her generosity and vision…I thank Patricia for The Yard and am consoled a bit knowing that it, and her spirit (giving choreographic notes from above), will be around forever.”
To see part of the legacy she created, visit The Yard’s website to see this remarkable resource and beacon of creativity that she’s enabled for the field of dance: [http://www.dancetheyard.org/]
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