TAA x Cheryl E. Grant
Actress, filmmaker, director, writer, acting coach
Cheryl E. Grant is an American actress, director, writer, and acting coach known for creating deeply moving, human-centric art. As the co-owner of the independent production company Chansons Films, she focuses on storytelling as a powerful tool for personal transformation and community healing. Her notable achievements include directing the acclaimed documentary "Accidentally on Purpose" and creating the award-winning production "Women Of An Uncertain Age." Alongside her creative projects, Grant is a dedicated mentor who uses theater and performance techniques to help individuals find their authentic personal voices.
COLLECTION
What is it that stays to dance: A photographic series dedicated to Richard and Jan Marshall
During the pandemic, I found that words alone could no longer express everything I was experiencing. I began buying bouquets of flowers, but when they wilted, I couldn't bring myself to throw them away. I discovered that when placed in water, they floated and seemed to come alive again, creating unexpected compositions of tranquility, movement and beauty. Through photography, I began capturing these fleeting moments, and the series What is it that stays to dance emerged, its title borrowed from Christopher Fry's A Phoenix Too Frequent. One photograph includes a butterfly that had landed on my hand the previous day and refused to fly away. I held it until it passed. Including it among the flowers became a small tribute to its life, allowing its beauty and presence to endure. In 2020, I also lost my aunt and uncle, Richard and Jan Marshall, both devoted peace activists. Their memory gives these photographs particular meaning. Through this work, I found myself reflecting on what remains after life has passed — the beauty, values and influence of those we love. For me, art offers a way to express what words cannot, to find tranquility amid loss, and to celebrate the enduring power of compassion and peace. I hope these photographs invite others to pause, reflect on life's fragile beauty, and consider how remembrance, understanding and creativity can encourage peace within ourselves and among others. I dedicate this series to Richard and Jan Marshall, honoring their lives and commitment to peace, with the proceeds supporting The Art Association's mission of encouraging peaceful engagement through art.
