Our STAFF
OUR FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Subashini Ganesan-Forbes (She/Her)
Subashini is a curator, arts administrator, choreographer, and former Creative Laureate of Portland (2018 – June 2021). Her contemporary works include deep collaborations with acclaimed artists and arts organizations including Mike Barber (Founder, Ten Tiny Dances), Michelle Fujii (UNIT SOUZOU), Sabina Haque, Amna Mawaz Khan (Pakistan/Germany), Anita Menon, DJ Anjali, Third Angle New Music, PICA, APANO, and Portland Center Stage.
Subashini founded New Expressive Works (N.E.W.) in 2012. Through residencies, artist conversations, and performance seasons, this vibrant performing arts venue celebrates bold new works created by multicultural independent performing artists.
Subashini is Adjunct Professor at Pacific University teaching arts advocacy, an active Community Advisory Committee member of the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, and serves as a Board of Director for the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation and the Portland Parks Foundation. Subashini also serves as Oregon Arts Commissioner.
Some links:-
https://www.orartswatch.org/subashini-ganesan-forbes-joins-oregon-arts-commission/
https://www.portland.gov/omf/news/2022/2/23/community-healing-through-art-final-report
https://www.orartswatch.org/subashini-ganesan-last-official-project/
https://www.opb.org/news/article/emergency-funding-covid-19-arts-equity-oregon/
https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-creative-laureate-subashini-ganesan-interview/
http://www.asianreporter.com/stories/local/2018/09-suba.htm
http://www.orartswatch.org/new-expressive-works-boundary-pushing/
Subashini Ganesan-Forbes
OUR STUDIO MANAGER
Rikkia Pereira (She/Her)
As a lifelong dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher, Rikkia has made her way to Portland, Oregon from New York City. Rikkia strongly believes in the power of dance, as it has served as a site for her self-actualization and gifted her with the tools to be an empowered, embodied person. Rikkia is eager to keep sharing her passion for dance as the Studio Manager for New Expressive Works.
Rikkia Pereira
OUR STUDIO ASSOCIATE
Belinda Washington (She/Her)
Belinda Washington is a second generation native Oregonian. She is a performer, producer, director, choreographer, and teacher, with a repertoire in aerial lyra, aerial silks, tumbling, contortion, and contact juggling. Her performances have been featured in shows such as Circus Church, Sunday Night Suga Shack, Melange, Mischief, Ten Tiny Dances, and Whoopee!. Belinda is a co-choreographer and collaborator with Kayla Banks’ Mixxed Reflections and Viva La Free’s Earthdance. As a teacher, she has shared her love of circus arts and gymnastics at Portland Parks and Recreations and Harriet Tubman Elementary School. Belinda aspires to share the Oregon black and circus arts culture with the rest of the US and beyond.
Photo Credit - @pfsmithphoto.