Ellice Patterson | Abilities Dance Boston

I first met Ellice in 2019 at the Boston University IDEA Conference where we presented on a panel together. She and other dancers from Abilities Dance Boston also performed a wonderful piece integrating wheel chairs and walkers into their performance. Ellice founded Abilities Dance Boston in 2017 with the vision to “disrupt antiquated ableist beliefs and disseminate the value of inclusion through dance.” Ellice speaks to the connection of relating disabled bodies and their mobility aids with fine arts and hopes “audiences can connect to [this approach] as we uplift marginalized bodies within and outside of the disabled community.”

COVID-19 has had a serious impact on her work, with cancelled shows and presentations resulting in thousands of dollars of lost revenue. Ellice is hopeful , however, that the City of Boston will continue to help and support artists with programs like the Boston Artist Relief Fund so that the arts can continue to thrive post social distancing.

Other sources of inspiration for Ellice? Check out arts organizations doing similiar work like Kinetic Light, Heidi Latsky Dance and Axis Dance.