Blind circus star earns A for attitude

Precariously dangling from swathes of silk, looping through hula hoops at great heights and eating fire would be considered pretty challenging for most. Not so for Sarah Houbolt, partially sighted circus artist, among other things.

The Grey Lynn resident has a rare disease that affects her sight and appearance, but it hasn't stopped her becoming a formidable performer and dedicated community worker. Last night she was recognised for her achievements at the annual Arts Access Aotearoa awards at Parliament House in Wellington.

Sarah's repertoire includes trapeze, aerial bungy, burlesque, writing, acting and teaching people with disabilities.

She's received a Big "A" Artistic Achievement Award for outstanding achievements and contribution as an artist with a sensory impairment.

"I'm a circus artist with a disability, and a lot of people with disabilities wouldn't consider they could do something like circus art," she says.

In between training and performances, including the title role in the 2011 adaptation of Lynley Dodd's Hairy Maclary, Sarah works with other disabled people in the arts, manages youth and community arts projects and says part of her raison d'etre is to help people realise their dreams and dispel society's views of disabled people in the field.

"It's important to recognise that disabled people in the arts are not just there to be helped or saved. They are striving to be professionals in their chosen field. When I've worked within the disabled community I've found lots of really driven people, but they're stuck in a mindset. The arts is a really tough industry, but it's about building your own sense of self-worth," says theperformer, who also holds degrees in sociology, social work and politics.

Sarah celebrates her uniqueness and being a role model to others who may feel held back from achieving their dreams by a disability. "I'd like to dispel those myths and change society's views. People look at me and think I wouldn't be suitable for corporate work. But I get a lot of corporate work. I have a point of difference and people find it both inspiring and entertaining."

Before life as a circus artist she also excelled in swimming, representing Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

She recently signed to contemporary dance company Touch Compass and is a performer with burlesque company The Dust Palace. "I'm busy, but it's a good busy."

Circus classes:

Sarah is running a series of circus classes for children through to adults at TAPAC in Western Springs. To find out more contact Sarah: 021 075 5043 or email ambitious_integrity@hotmail.com

www.tapac.org.nz/2012/05/circus-arts/

Bookings, call TAPAC on 845 0295 or email jessie@tapac.org.nz

Auckland's other Big 'A' award winners:

Nga Rangitahi Toa Creative Arts Initiative, Artstation and the MIT School of Visual Arts, Auckland, were awarded the Big 'A' Community Partnership Award, recognising a project that promoted diversity, enabled inclusion and created opportunities for youth to make art and develop new skills. The three way partnership is providing life-changing experiences for Maori and Pasifika rangatahi alienated from mainstream education. In a three-staged programme beginning with one-on-one mentoring, participants work towards exhibitions and a portfolio application for tertiary study at MIT.

The Quilt-Stitch Group were awarded the inaugural Big 'A' Prison Arts Community Award, recognising the outstanding contribution of a community group or community organisation working with the Department of Corrections and using the arts as a tool to support the rehabilitation of prisoners.

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