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‘(Re)Invigorate’ Marshalltown

The arts in Marshalltown are being highlighted in a film series entitled “(Re)Invigorate.”

The series features dancers and Marshalltown natives Toree Benson, 22, and Nick Cooper, 21. The first video in the five-part series was released Jan. 8, and the second will be available for viewing on Friday.

The first video was filmed in the Gallery Garden on Main Street. In it, Cooper can be seen dancing amongst the plants and the art pieces. Benson was holding the camera and operating the drone.

The film series is sponsored by the Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance and the first video can be seen on the website and the social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Amber Danielson, executive director of the Alliance, said Cooper and Benson reached out to her with the series proposal.

“They are both amazing with their creative energy,” she said. “It is awesome to bring in young, fresh ideas. This series is filmed at local pride places and will highlight Marshalltown’s creative, public art places.”

Danielson said the plan is to release the videos every three weeks. The Friday release will take place at the Drills sculpture outside of the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse. On Feb. 19, the Echo sculpture in the 13th Street District will be highlighted, followed by the Fisher Community Center pond on March 12 and then Marshalltown Main Street on April 2.

Danielson saw the first video when it was released and is eagerly anticipating the sequels. Benson and Cooper are working on the editing.

Cooper, a 2017 graduate of Marshalltown High School, said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to return to college at New York University. He and Benson have long been friends and colleagues and came up with the idea of the series. He said they wanted to do something other than moan and groan about not being able to be in New York City or Chicago.

“Art is the way we stay sane and function,” Cooper said. “We wanted to do something and make the best of our time here. We were brainstorming ideas and wanted to do something with movement, showcasing Marshalltown and celebrating the art and beauty that is here.”

The dancing duo wanted to shine some light on art pieces that get lost in the everyday noise. They were happy the Alliance accepted their film series proposal.

Benson, a 2018 graduate of East Marshall High School saw a way to create something in her chosen home after she graduated from Columbia College Chicago. She is working as a dance teacher at the Dance Konnection and Prestige Dance Studio in Cedar Rapids.

“A lot of these art sculptures get dismissed,” she said. “I would drive by the pond at Fisher Community Center every day, not noticing it. Then we saw it was the perfect place to use because of the nature and the art people can enjoy.”

The video shot at the Fisher Community Center pond gave Cooper some of his favorite memories of the series — as they physically got into the water.

“No one could predict what the bottom of the pond was going to feel like with bare feet,” he said, laughing. “It was interesting and super fun. We got in a pond we never thought we would get in. It was a lot of laughs.”

That experience also presented a challenge for Benson. Since the filming was taking place in October, she said the water was certainly cold.

“Being able to adjust and adapt to that and the weather as an artist was a challenge,” Benson said.

Since the release of the first video, Benson and Cooper have gotten responses from people inside and outside of Marshalltown. Some want to visit to experience the space of the Gallery Garden. Benson hopes as more videos are released and more art pieces highlighted, that residents will remember the Marshalltown beauty.

“I hope they go to the spaces and take some time for themselves,” she said.

There has certainly been some excitement over the project, and there is possibility some residents will be inspired to create. If people want to film their own videos, Cooper and Benson said they would be happy to collaborate and give advice. Cooper can be reached at ncooper99@gmail.com, Benson at bensontoree@gmail.com

Danielson said people can also reach out to her with some ideas at 641-752-2787. She said the Alliance is always open to ways to expose the community to art, and the “(Re)Invigorate” film project is a wonderful way to do that.

“This is a really unique and creative way to celebrate different forms of art,” Danielson said. “It gives us great digital content to enjoy and be reminded of the beauty of Marshalltown.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.

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