Dana Marie Lupton is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Moving in the Spirit, a nonprofit that serves Atlanta’s young people and creates compassionate leaders through the art of dance. Ms. Lupton studied at The American Dance Festival at Duke University with Chuck Davis, Clarence Teeter and Jill Beck and earned a degree in Business Administration from Terry College of Business at University of Georgia. She has performed with Susan Eldridge’s company, DENSE, cofounder Leah Mann, Lori Teague and as a solo artist throughout the United States and Europe.
Ms. Lupton shares, “ As an artist engaged in the creation, performance, and teaching of dance, it is my hope to address those issues which are relevant to the community in which I live, specifically as they relate to the individuals and groups with whom I serve. I intend to explore and assist others with the exploration of their intrinsic artistic expression, “giving voice” to pertinent social, cultural, and personal concerns.
It is also my hope that the medium of dance may be utilized to enrich, empower, and enlighten people, drawing together individuals of diverse backgrounds and allowing them to learn from one another and to share their unique gifts. This is particularly important for Atlanta’s young people and adults who are not afforded such opportunities by current institutional and social structures. In 1986, this belief inspired Genene Stewart, Leah Mann and I to co-found Moving in the Spirit.”
Over the past 37 years, Ms. Lupton has received numerous awards for her service to Atlanta’s arts community and youth, including a Lexus Leader for the Arts Award, a Bank of America Local Heroes Award, and the Mayor’s Fellowship for the Arts in Dance Award. Her leadership was recognized by The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which honored Ms. Lupton and Moving in the Spirit with a Youth Program Award in 2005. Governor’s Award for the Arts & Humanities, presented by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Dream Award, and POW Award by Womenetics, Leadership Atlanta Class of 2016, eChievement Award, Inspiring Woman Award by Atlanta Dream Basketball, The President’s Community Service Award by Atlanta City Council, True to Atlanta Award by Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, Emory Board of Visitors, and most recently a Woman Leader in the Arts Award presented by Synchronicity in 2019.