Tsedaye Makonnen: Refuge used to live among the Hoosic River and the White Oak Trees, 2025

Public performance developed by Tsedaye Makonnen and Sandra Burton, presented by the Williams College Museum of Art, the Williams College Dance Department, and the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA

Tsedaye Makonnen: Refuge used to live among the Hoosic River and the White Oak Trees is a performance that highlights the ongoing world-wide violence inflicted upon folks who are actively being displaced from their homes, while emphasizing the possibilities of resilience and survival. The dancers and musicians will perform a cleansing, a shaking, a crashing—a catharsis and a signal. As the performers fall into a trance state, they open themselves to the spirits of those who have transitioned. Based in Black spiritual practices, this is about carrying all of the fracturedness of being Black across time and space, creating a feeling of resolve and healing.

Working with WCMA Associate of Curator of Programs, Roz Crews, Williams professor Sandra Burton as a co-choreographer and local student performers, Makonnen’s intention is to consider Berkshire histories while creating contemporary connections with Black and immigrant communities.

WCMA published a publication on the occasion of the final performance featuring words from Sandra Burton, Roz Crews, Natalie Ginsberg, Dr. Nikki Greene, and Tsedaye Makonnen. Proceeds from the sale of the publication were donated to the Berkshire Immigrant Center.

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This project is made possible by an interdisciplinary web of creative thinkers, problem solvers, and outstanding collaborators working hand in hand at Williams College and the Clark Art Institute, and it would not exist without the hard work and support of so many folks in the Berkshires and beyond. Below you’ll find a list of names alongside project role and/or institutional affiliation:

Celine Akyen ’28, Performer
Karl Aleman-Valencia ’25, Fabrication Support, Williams College Museum of Art
Bilal Ansari, Research Support, Williams College Davis Center
Daniela O. Asianut ’28, Performer
Alex Babcock, Virtual Reality Consultant, Williams College Libraries
Zea Barker, Lead Fabricator
Barbara Bell, Costume Support, ’62 Center for Theater & Dance
Eileen Bellamy, Art Director, Williams College Office of Communications
Sandra Burton, Co-Choreographer, Williams College Dance Department
Lola Casenave ’25, Digital Storytelling, Williams College Museum of Art
Charlotte Chen ’27, Performer
Roz Crews, Project Curator, Williams College Museum of Art
Lisa Dorin MA ’00, Copy Editor, Williams College Museum of Art
Rebecca Dravis, Publication Coordinator and Communications, WCMA
Ian Dominic ’27, Performer
John Ewing, Copy Editor
Beth Fischer ’05, Digital Engagement, Williams College Museum of Art
Caroline Fowler, Co-Conspirator, Research and Academic Programs, The Clark
Liz Gallerani, Faculty Engagement, Williams College Museum of Art
Liam Giszter ’26, Musician
Natalie Ginsberg MA ’26, Publication Contributor and Performer
Dr. Nikki A. Greene, Publication Contributor
Laura Gura, Legal support, Williams College
Rachel Heisler, Student Engagement, Williams College Museum of Art
Henry Hu ’28, Photographer
David Keiser-Clark, Fabrication Coordinator, Williams College Makerspace
Temani Knight ’27, Musician
Mercy Lagat ’27, Performer
Elizabeth Lamb, Art Advisor, Tsedaye Studio
Jerry Hensure Lewouo Nizegha ’28, Performer
Luna Luna ’28, Performer
Tsedaye Makonnen, Creative Director, Artist, and Co-Choreographer
Jason Mativi, Fabrication Support, Williams College Science Center
Diego Mongue ’25, Musician
Patricia Owusu ’28, Performer
Samantha Pasapane, Fabrication Support, Williams College Art Department
Sam Samuel ’26, Fabrication Support, Williams College Makerspace
Will Schmenner, Programmer, The Clark Art Institute
Shawnette Smalls, Co-conspirator, Research and Academic Programs, The Clark
Alice Sore ’27, Fabrication Support, Williams College Makerspace
Zoe Spring, Graphic Designer, Williams College Office of Communications
Jason Stevens, Publication Project Manager, Williams College Office of Communications
Sofi Taylor, Videographer, Saltbox Films
Yeldana Talgatkyzy ’25, Oral History and Fabrication Support, WCMA
Karthik Tambar ’27, Fabrication Support, Williams College Museum of Art
Tashfa Zafar ’27, Oral History and Fabrication Support, WCMA
Pauli Voelkel ’26, Performer
Bradley Wakoff, Photographer, Williams College
Qi Wang ’26, Fabrication Support, Williams College Makerspace
Aisha White, Studio Manager, Tsedaye Studio
Nathaniel Wiessner, Production and Logistical Support, ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance
Rebecca Wolfe, Administrative Support, Williams College Dance Department
Caitlin Woolsey, Co-Conspirator, Research and Academic Programs, The Clark
Kyle Yager, Production Manager, Williams College Dance Department
Williams College Museum of Art Staff
The Clark Art Institute Staff
’62 Center for Theatre & Dance Staff