ORIGIN

My name is Katherina Komisarjevsky.

The origin of Skaya House is the artistic heritage of the Komisarjevsky family: A 150-year legacy of unconventional writers and artists who transformed the opera, theatre and dance stages in Russia, Italy, Paris, Britain and the United States.

A little story about myself reveals why I began this project. So, let me share something very personal with you…

Despite this vibrant family history, it often felt far away and I was uncertain about my own path for much of my life. Even so, a love of the arts and a creative spirit was always there. When I retired as a C-suite executive advising the world's largest financial institutions on commercial real estate transactions, I decided to reconnect with the passions of my youth and get back to the family roots.

What I found is that, unbeknownst to me as a younger woman, these ancestors had shaped who I am. One thing I have been sure of for as long as I can remember is that, on the other side of every “leap” and “fall” is the next level of my life. And researching the generations of the Komisarjevskys – their historical work and influence – revealed a birthright of creativity and of trusting in myself, especially during difficult times.

So I named this Skaya House.

After all, the five letters “skaya” attached to the end of a Russian name speak to the "feminine" and to “connection,” and, coupled with the word “house,” it speaks volumes to the emotions and history of where our values came from.

“Leap, Fall, Recover”… my grandmother, Ernestine Stodelle Komisarjevsky Chamberlain

WRITING

SKAYA | STUDIO – An online exhibit for the KOMISARJEVSKYS:

CREATIVE CONSULTING

Hand-pulled relief print by Rick Beerhorst (Photo credit: The artist)

Between the cafes on the streets of Paris and my little village of Coconut Grove, I nurture my own creative voice. I digest my emotions through the written word and learn to embody myself through my mental, emotional, and physical explorations. I draw on the pain and pleasure of my life to sculpt my being, searching every curve and hidden corner to reveal the form of its many sides. By doing this, my conscious experience becomes my masterpiece.

Yet what equally moves me is the idea and hope that, by sharing the deeply meaningful encounters in my life and the simple philosophical ideas inspired by them, I can make my brief moment of eternity better for other people because I had the courage to have an open voice. So I created my blog, which can be found here: WRITINGS. I would be happy for you to read it!

So far, my work includes essays, poems, and I’m currently working on my first book (over 700,000 words to be edited!).

CREATIVE CONSULTING

SKAYA | STUDIO – An online exhibit for the KOMISARJEVSKYS:

CREATIVE CONSULTING

Hermine Bourdin sculpture for Coddess Variations at the Opera Garnier (Photo: © Skaya House)

My appreciation for other artists and creatives drives me to work with them in diverse and exciting ways. Creators transform the world, making it more alluring and opening it up by helping us see and feel in a different way - questioning our assumptions with their stories, prompting difficult conversations, and expanding our periphery.

It is as if they take us on a trip to a distant land where we are exposed to an enticing new culture…. revealing how we are different and how we are the same. They celebrate uniqueness and bridge the gaps between us, gifting us with new ways to think and orient ourselves to the world around us.

So whether it be serving on the advisory council of a dancer development organization, welcoming artists in my salon, strategically collaborating on their projects, or simply connecting them to others who can help activate their concepts, I am filled with energy and joy by catalyzing the artistic vision of other creators.

SKAYA | STUDIO – An online exhibit for the KOMISARJEVSKYS:

Vera Komissarzhevskaya Theatre in Saint Petersburg (Photo: © Skaya House)

Moved by the ways that my family's creativity and courage shaped me and the world around them, I created Skaya House to preserve their work online in one repository and as a tribute to their contributions to art and art history from my unique perspective.

It can be found here: SKAYA | STUDIO

CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCES

We all love to connect based on what we have in common. Yet, because we are each unique, celebrating how we are different is what keeps us bonded together.

As family & friends

As a community

As a society

At its most fundamental, it is about human rights. It is dignity and respect for everyone – no exceptions. It is compassion for people we do not understand. To do otherwise is to give ourselves over to the lowest part of our being.

At its highest level, celebrating our differences is the realization that acknowledging someone else’s gifts, talents and perspectives does not diminish our own. It is a spirit of open-mindedness and an awareness that insight and inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone. It is searching for the beauty in each individual, because it's there. It is coming together and using our differences to create greater meaning, greater change, greater beauty and greater unity.

From a creative standpoint, this is at the heart of collaboration.

It is in this space – together – that we can do so much more.

RAISE THE MOMENT

LOOK FOR A WAY UP, RATHER THAN OUT

RAISE THE MOMENT

We can each elevate the moment we are in, however it unfolds, by being open and by treating others and ourselves with kindness and dignity. We want to make that moment more beautiful because we were there.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

LOOK FOR A WAY UP, RATHER THAN OUT

RAISE THE MOMENT

There is no substitute for personal authenticity and strength of character to live congruently with who we truly are.

LOOK FOR A WAY UP, RATHER THAN OUT

Struggle is part of the human experience but life’s greatest challenges are catalysts for personal revolution and paradigm shifts. They are our gurus to bettering ourselves and the life we live. At Skaya House, our spirit of determination moves us ever forward.

WE DON'T DO GREAT THINGS ALONE

LOOK FOR A WAY UP, RATHER THAN OUT

Yes, we must test the boundaries of our abilities and push through to create something meaningful but there are people along the way that help us get where we are. And everyone needs a little help sometimes. Recognizing people’s contributions to our growth opens our eyes to the importance of staying humble and giving back.

TRUST IN YOURSELF

WE DON'T DO GREAT THINGS ALONE

TRUST IN YOURSELF

This doesn’t mean being close-minded or that we make decisions without thinking it through. It means we listen very closely to what our instincts are saying is authentic and we trust that voice. We know mistakes are part of growth and we will use them to hone that intuition and clear our path.

WELCOME TO SKAYA HOUSE

ORIGIN