Story by Sydney Kelso
Photos by Lindsey Newey
The University of Idaho’s Aerial Arts Club has been active since 2021 and has grown into a sizeable club over the years. The club was created by graduate students Shelby McCahon and Ariana Cerreta, with the advisement of Dr. Sarah Campbell, Assistant Professor of Theatre History, Literature, and Criticism.
“Prior to the club’s establishment, the Outdoor Program hosted introductory aerial clinics to spark community interest, leading many participants to join the club or take on leadership roles,”
Shortly after the creation of the Aerial Arts Club came the creation of the Gem State Flyers, the University’s aerial performance group made up of coaches and members who are at an advanced level in the aerial arts curriculum.
“All Flyers have completed a semester of our performance class, which provides the opportunity to create an aerial piece for our annual spring showcase at the UI Hartung Theatre,” McCahon said. “The Gem State Flyers perform, at local community events including the Moscow Renaissance Fair, the Latah County Fair, and the Moscow Farmer’s Market.”
Due to the number of public appearances, the club has gained traction not only within the university, but also within the community. In conversation with the coaches, they all agreed that the club, among other things, acts as a bridge which connects the community and the university.
“Through the Gem State Flyers, we have established a strong connection with the broader Moscow community by performing at several events…” McCahon said. “[These events] have opened up new connections beyond campus. Engaging with families, community members and young children who come to applaud and appreciate our performances has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, the Aerial Arts Club and introductory aerial clinics hosted by the Outdoor Program invite and encourage community members to participate and develop their skills in aerial arts, further strengthening our ties to the Moscow community.”
Coach Axel Wall agreed that the crowds have been a highlight of the performances, saying that “the reaction from the crowd is the best part. Many people have an appreciation for the arts, especially circus arts. I think our performances create an environment where people can appreciate the arts together, bonding the Moscow community.”
Wall also said that “between the aerial arts clinics and performances, there are a good number of people that approach us, because they are interested in joining or just want to compliment us.” On a more personal note, they said that “meeting more people in Moscow has made me feel more familiar and connected to the Moscow community…. Being a performer in [the community events] has made me feel like I am part of something greater than just our club.”
Coach Sarah Campbell also noted that the outreach events have made her feel more connected, saying, “The day-to-day experience of working in the university sometimes means that I don’t spend a lot of time in the community and getting to know people outside of UI. The outreach events and aerial arts clinics at the Climbing Center have helped us to connect with those outside of UI.”
Campbell also elaborated on the physical aspect of aerial arts, saying that it is “a unique artform that, as a whole, provides supportive spaces for learning and personal growth….”
Like any form of sport or art, the craft requires skill and time.
“Aerial arts is a unique and artistic activity that offers participants and performers the chance to share their skills, knowledge, and creative expression with others,” McCahon said. “Both the Aerial Arts Club and the Gem State Flyers offer opportunities for students and community members to get involved, further strengthening our bond to the community.”
“I think any kind of art or performance form has the potential to create strong bonds within a community – it’s all about finding time and the way to meaningfully connect,” Campbell said. “As our club expands, we will continue to find ways to generate interest and appreciation for aerial and circus arts. Gem State Flyers… was created specifically for outreach through performances in the community and while we haven’t been around for a full year yet as a performance company, we are proud of the work we have accomplished thus far!”
Campbell added that one goal of the club is to “equip performers who are confident, consistent and competent as they perform. The Aerial arts club at UI seeks to spread joy, body positivity and acceptance of ourselves as we are. Each aerialist has their own unique style and way of moving, which is embraced and welcomed.”
One Club member who comes from the community is Skye Northcutt. She has lived in Moscow for her whole life (just over 23 years).
“I saw a flyer and [aerial arts] sounded impossibly rad,” Northcutt said when recounting her reason for joining. “My ballroom experience and budding extroversion didn’t hurt…. I wasn’t a dues-paying member until my second class. I came for the glamour, but I stayed for [the] warm atmosphere and coaches who could have me hitting a figure four in under two hours.”
Northcutt also noted that she stayed for the community she founded within the Club.
“I’m terribly grateful to have connected with fellow club members,” Northcutt said. “Beyond that, people are always shocked and delighted when I tell them Moscow has an Aerial Arts Club, and it becomes a perfect way to start talking about our city.”
As far as outer connections go, Northcutt said that she sees Club interacting with both the rest of the university and the Moscow community as a whole.
“Having a year-round presence is key,” said Northcutt. “The university can feel separate from the city when the students leave, but then I catch a summer IRT production, see the LGBT office at pride, or enjoy an aerial show at the farmer’s market. Aerial is a performing art, and we perform! It’s difficult to bring a sense of spectacle to an event, especially for a town this size, and we offer eye-catching scale and elegance that’s portable and dynamic. [Overall], this area is a bizarrely affordable place to learn dance, and I’m glad our club can be part of that.”
It’s fun to see all the ways UI and the broader town of Moscow interact, and Aerial Arts is just one way the two interact.
“Strengthening our artistic connections with the community has been a fantastic experience,” McCahon said, “and we’re excited to continue growing and deepening these ties.”
