BELLE MATTSON

“We are less lonely when we connect. Art is connection” – Nikki Giovanni

Belle Mattson is a 19-year-old dancer and photographer from southeast Michigan. She began dancing at the age of 2 and her love for the art form only grew when she began training under the guidance of Deena Bryan at illuminaTe Dance and Arts Center. Belle currently attends Point Park University, where she is on track to earn a BFA in Dance. In 2021, Belle began to take an interest in photography. She started by taking dance pictures of her sister and friends on her phone. The next year, she took a photography class at her high school; learning about the elements of photography and how to use both film and digital cameras. After receiving a DSLR camera for her birthday, she began taking pictures for illuminaTe Dance and Arts Center’s 43 Company Performing. This then evolved into taking senior pictures for friends, annual dance pictures at illuminaTe Dance and Arts Center, and even receiving requests for photoshoots from people on social media. Belle enjoys combining her love and knowledge in both art forms, dance and photography, to create unified works in her unique perspective.

It was a pleasure getting to know Belle and her journey into photography.  As a dancer, she has been a part of BTCF’s annual Elements of Expression Artist Series. As a photographer, she feels that being a dancer gives her a deeper understanding of the artists she works with and allows for the process and photographs to be a collaboration. Her ultimate goal is not only to express herself through photography but to also capture the essence and beauty of those she works with! Click here for Belle’s interview