Verabel Call Cluff

Dance Works (view listing under Collaborations to the right):

Verabel Call Cluff, writer & video artist
Graduate with honors in television and film from American University in Washington, DC.  Verabel was a life-time friend and artist collaborator with Maida. “She was a visionary influence on all who knew and associated with her – my dear friend, partner, and collaborator. Her award winning film, SandS CycleS, embodies my character without question. “In those early years, we worked mostly with Hi-8 cameras/footage – an amazing achievement for meeting all the requirements of climbing on cliffs, rocks and sand to capture Maida in the wild west magic lands.”  (Maida Withers)

Verabel (Belle)- videographer and photographer, is an independent television writer and producer in Utah, who  engaged in research and development for Tukuhnikivatz, and for eight of Cluff and Withers expeditions in the Southwest (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona) that served as the basis of much of Withers’ astonishing earthworks. Every year for over six years, one to three visits each year, Belle and Maida visited towns and earth sites in the Four Corners Area (Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona).  They participated in indigenous rituals with various tribal groups (at that time social rituals were open to participating public) and enjoyed many demanding and insightful conversations.  Of special interest was the Native American drawings and carvings.  Sites are protected (no locations specified in state documents) from intrusion.  Belle and Maida feel privileged to have been invited by various tribal groups to participate.

Verabel  is known for her work as Camera/ Visual Artist/ Editor/ Producer: TUK (Tukuhnikivatiz); Utah, Spirit Place, Spirit Planet, Tukuhnikivatz (1996); In Winds of Sand (1993-1997); SandS CycleS (1991); Spirit Path/ Migration/ Remains (1990).

Showings of Cluff’s art environment video, SandS CycleS, include the Earth Summit International Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, Artist’s Forum, Women Make Movies VIII, Washington, DC (1993),  IMZ Dance Screen in Lyon, France (1994), Utah Film and Video Short Festival (1993), and Mid Summer’s Eve, Women’s Festival, (1993), SLC, Utah and four tours in Asia as the centerpiece of Withers’ In Winds of Sand.  SandS CycleS, A Meditation, an installation exhibition was presented at the University of Utah Art Gallery (1995).

Verabel’s script for Women See, was an historic statement about women and religion, especially for Mormon women.

Verabel travelled to Africa with Maida where she documented the amazing community projects  in Meru, Africa with Karambu Ringera, Founder and President of Tiriji Foundation.
(See video listings).  Africa Comeback Women:

Belle passed away after a struggle with cancer.  Her influence on Maida Withers in all aspects of life is impossible to measure.

Collaborations