The Association of Rhythmic Talent Dance Company, better known as A.R.T. Dance, worked hard to prepare for Coronation 2008.
The Asian theme for coronation was organized by A.R.T. president Jessica James.
The organization spent several hours during the week before homecoming choreographing, practicing and perfecting the pieces they performed.
A.R.T. Dance serves as the university’s dance team, performing at chancellor events as well as different events in the community.
A.R.T. was founded in 1991 by WSSU alumni Angela and Kent Beatty. Since then, they have added two other aspects of the performing arts. Singers called the Voices of A.R.T founded in 2000 and A.R.T. Expressions, a spoken word group founded in 2001.
“The purpose for founding the organization was to offer an outlet for freedom of expression for talented students choosing a career outside of the arts, and to cultivate and develop talent,” Angela Beatty said.
Charmaine Williams has been a member of A.R.T. for five years and the president of Voices and Expressions for two.
“Voices of A.R.T. are soloists that sing in a group setting and A.R.T. Expressions is responsible for spoken word, monologues and acting,” Williams said.
Mrs. Beatty says A.R.T. produces award winning, relevant, and artistic expressions of real life situations.
According to Mrs. Beatty, the initial and continuing goal of all three divisions of A.R.T. is to promote a lifelong appreciation for the arts for performers and students.
A.R.T. performed at the freshman orientation, Yardfest and 2008 Mr. Delta Sigma Theta Pageant.
Beatty says she wants to continue providing an outlet for artistic development, experience, and opportunities for performance.
“Freaks Come Out,” an A.R.T. production is Nov. 20 in K.R. Williams Auditorium.