An exhibit celebrating a century of dance in Michigan, “Dance Pioneers: Michigan’s 20th Century Movers,” recently opened at Wayne State University’s Walter P. Reuther Library and will run until May 2014.

A collaboration between Michigan Dance Archives founder Harriet Berg and the Reuther Library, the graphic display consists of six large panels that focus on 20th century dancers, choreographers and educators and provides historical and biographical information about dancers that either hailed from or made their careers in Detroit and Michigan.

“Though Detroit is known for sports, music and performing arts, it is rarely associated with dance,” said Berg. “This exhibit will help remedy that misconception.”

“Dance Pioneers: Michigan’s 20th Century Movers,” will be available for public viewing in the Leonard Woodcock wing of the Reuther Library until May 1, 2014. Viewing hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In 1994, Berg and her husband Irving, both Wayne State alumni, established the Michigan Dance Archives at the Walter P. Reuther Library to encourage others to donate their materials for research. The collection includes Berg’s own papers, reference materials, sound and images that document the intangible art of dance. Berg’s collection also documents her time spent teaching at the Wayne State University Dance Department and career as the artistic director of the Renaissance Dance Company and Madame Cadillac Theatre.

Photo: On Friday, Oct. 4, the Reuther Library hosted a reception for the opening of "Dance Pioneers: Michigan’s 20th Century Movers." The opening reception was introduced by Berg and included remarks from Leslee O'Day Benyo, Reuther Library Director Beth Myers, and Reuther Library Field Archivist Louis Jones.