Reconstructing the Self | Figure in Motion

Step into a space where visual art comes alive through movement. Reconstructing the Self | Figure in Motion is a powerful, one-night-only event that fuses contemporary dance with visual art in a site-specific performance. Set within Jessalyn Finch’s exhibition Reconstructing the Self, the evening features a modern dance performance that responds to and reflects the artwork’s emotional and visual themes.

Choreographed and performed by Minnesota-based dance artist Mary Mailand Schlichting, the performance engages directly with Finch’s exploration of body dysmorphia, embodiment, and transformation. Through dynamic movement and interaction with the gallery space, Schlichting transforms static artworks into a living dialogue. The event includes opening remarks from the artists, a live dance performance, an artist talkback, and time to connect with the artists and exhibit.

Evening Program

• Opening Remarks: Introduction by Jessalyn Finch
• Dance Performance: Choreographed and performed by Mary Mailand Schlichting, this piece physically explores and responds to the artwork in the gallery.
• Intermission: Time for reflection and exploration of the exhibition.
• Artist & Dancer Talkback: A discussion on the interplay between visual art and dance.
• Mingling & Networking: An informal chance to connect with the artists and fellow guests.

About the Artists

Mary Mailand SchlichtingA Minnesota native and contemporary dance artist, Mary blends athleticism and artistry to create emotionally resonant performances. She holds a BFA in Theater and Dance from Macalester College and has performed with a range of companies including Crash Dance Productions, Contempo Physical Dance, and Ruby Josephine Dance Theater. Her work thrives on collaboration, physical storytelling, and reimagining traditional performance spaces.

Jessalyn FinchJessalyn’s practice merges large-scale charcoal drawing and interactive cardboard sculpture to explore self-perception and bodily awareness. Rooted in mindfulness, her work invites reflection on the body as both a personal and societal construct. Her exhibition Reconstructing the Self confronts themes of body dysmorphia, aging, and transformation, creating a deeply introspective visual landscape that now inspires and interplays with live movement.