Fall - 2022

“We want to foster a greater appreciation for the arts and help students realize that they have an avenue. They don't have to play a musical instrument, be a dancer, be an actor or even step forward on a stage. The arts are inclusive for everyone,” says MPBT Founder and Artist Director Tia Brown Rosenblum. Inclusivity involves welcoming both accom- plished ballerinas and youngsters who have never performed to participate in “The Nutcracker” and the MPBT programs presented through organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, Community Partnership for Youth and Rancho Cielo. On September 9th, the Pointe of Art auction will raise funds to help expand access to MPBT ini- tiatives. “Everybody gets to be a part of ‘The Nutcracker.’ They don't turn anyone away. And there are lots of families on the peninsula who really can't afford the gas money, costumes or tuition,” says Ashley Bennett-Stoddard, who helped launch Pointe of Art in 2019. “We have so many amazing artists here, and I saw an incredible opportunity for a fundraiser.” The Carmel Sunset Rotary Club works with Bennett Sculpture Carmel and other partners to present Pointe of Art events. Preparation starts in the spring, when MPBT dancers are paired with an experienced local artist. During a gathering known as the shoe exchange, the dancers perform short pieces, discuss why they love ballet and present a pair of pointe shoes to their artist partner. From those interactions, artists draw inspira- tion for sculptures, paintings, photographs and other works of fine art that are auctioned off at a September reception. “We, as artists, meet our dancer and see what we have in common.We talk about what inspires them and what inspires us. And then, we have three months to create something,” says Bennett- 122 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 2 S I M O N B U L L W I N S T O N B O Y E R