I think about body politics in the workspace and public art landscape.  How do we as people move about in global environments?  As an observer who cares deeply about poetic connections, I remain curious about two things:  choreographing sound and matter within an enclosed or an outdoor environment.
As the sun filters through the sky, I move with joy, color and empathy - I create to learn more about the unknown, and how to make inspiring environments layered with texture, tone and light.

W E L É L A  M A R  K I N D R E D

Short - Formal Bio:

Definition:  lamb noun  /’lam/ : a young sheep : lamb of God :  an innocent or gentle person

Examples of lamb :  She’s as gentle as a lamb. 

Synonyms of lamb : angel : dove : innocent 

Antonym of lamb : wolf

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Weléla Mar Kindred was born and raised between Oakland and Southern California and was inspired by art and sound at home very early on. Her mother was born and raised in Oakland, connected to the Black Panthers and worked on the popular sitcom - "What's Happening."  Her mother was also a prominent math educator for over 30 years and violinist who inspired Weléla to play piano early on and hone the gift of dance. Her father was born and raised in Gary, IN and was also rooted in math and science.  As a retired biologist, entrepreneur and photographer, he introduced Weléla to his record collection and love of science. 

With her studies in the sciences, (she wanted a microscope very early on), music, and dance - this creative environment guided her to discover her talents early on.  Both of her parents were involved in the Black art scene in Los Angeles and were collectors of works by fellow friends.  As the home was full of contemporary Black art of the time and soul music played at late night parties - her creative path began to unfold.  From the church space to the dance studio, she learned very quickly the beauty of Black art, the creative process and artistic freedom.  

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At the age of four years old Weléla began her career studying ballet, jazz, tap, theater and musical theater with The YMCA and later joined The Santa Monica Playhouse.  After her run with SMP she joined The Orange County Black Actors Theatre under the direction of Adeline Hunter & Zondra Ann Marshall.  She continued with them as well as the youth theater group The Lorraine Hansberry Players.  As a result of this work she began booking with NBC Studios doing television. As her dance practice grew she joined The St. Joseph Ballet Company.  She studied and worked with them for four years.  

She later graduated high school, was awarded a track scholarship to attend Cal Poly Pomona and she was also dancing professionally in Los Angeles in hip-hop - working with Bobby Ball Talent Agency.

During her undergraduate studies, she relocated to Chicago and was awarded the Dean's scholarship to study Cinema and Performance Art at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While studying, she joined Joel Hall Dance Center and Homer Bryant Ballet Chicago.  

Later she resided in New York, where she worked with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, she was also awarded the Dance New Amsterdam Choreographer Lab Artist in Residence.

She later relocated to Paris for seven years - where her work was featured in the FRASQ Festival, Sony France, Nuit Blanche and many other projects.  She studied at the Centre National de la Dance and established a strong international dance practice.  While in Paris she was invited as a performing artist to be featured at Chale Wote Global Arts Festival in Accra, Ghana. 

After returning to the states, she received an NYU and Harvard Fellowship in Black body politics based on her writings and research which were featured at The University of Johannesburg, those

writings and research were featured in Art Africa.

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Weléla is committed to creating top-tier works for cinema, stage and curated tech projects through a feminine BIPOC lens. Not only has her extensive dance and theatrical knowledge been paired with her conceptual art background, she has acted, produced and directed for the stage (Best Stage Director Nominee - The Chicago Reader). Weléla has choreographed for film and commercial projects in fashion, music and tech globally.  Weléla is currently working closely in femtech in the African space and is the founding creative director of The LVMB Collective.

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She currently resides in Chicago and is represented by Le Casting Parisien. 

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