Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Air Gradow
Hi Ariana Air , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in tech, producing large-scale conferences for companies like Google and IBM, which I loved for its fast-paced, impactful nature. But as I continued to grow in that world, I couldn’t help but follow my deeper passion for the arts, specifically aerial silks and circus. In 2017, I took a leap of faith and left my tech job to pursue my love for circus full-time, enrolling in circus school. That journey led me to open my own circus school, where I not only taught but also produced large shows, incorporating my students and community into the performances.
After selling the school, I realized that combining my event production background with my circus and performance skills could offer a unique service to brands. That’s when Art of Air Events and Entertainment was born. Today, we provide immersive and creative experiences for brands by blending live performance with the structure of corporate events, offering something truly one-of-a-kind. My path has been about merging two seemingly different worlds—tech and circus—to create unforgettable experiences that inspire and captivate.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The hardest part of my journey was definitely in the early days when I founded Circus Collective, my circus school. I was young, naïve, and didn’t know much about business at the time. I was so focused on pursuing my passion that I didn’t fully understand the importance of clear contracts or the realities of business partnerships. Things ended up going really sour with a business partnership and when it got really bad, I just walked away from hundreds of thousands and left the business to him.
It was incredibly painful, both emotionally and financially. I lost everything, and the money I invested into the company was gone for a fraction of its value. I had to rebuild from the ground up, and it felt like I’d lost everything I had worked for. For a long time, I couldn’t imagine trusting another business partner again. The betrayal I experienced was so deep.
Time has a way of healing wounds, and after a lot of personal growth, I’m ready to work with a business partner again. I truly believe that business is more fun—and more successful—when it’s done with the right people.
The challenges I faced have made me stronger, more discerning and more equipped to navigate business with confidence!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of my work is my deep passion for producing immersive theatre productions that have a profound emotional and sensory impact on audiences. I specialize in blending circus, performance art, and immersive experiences to create something truly unforgettable. I’m known for curating unique events that transport people into entirely new worlds—worlds where the boundaries between the audience and the performance are blurred, and every moment feels deeply personal.
One of the things I’m most proud of is a production I created called Convergent Circus in Carbondale, Colorado. It was an incredibly ambitious project that pushed the boundaries of what immersive theatre can be. Audience members were invited to walk through a half-mile of site-specific outdoor art installations, each inspired by one of the five elements: fire, water, air, earth, and ether. Along the way, they encountered a series of performance vignettes and interactive experiences that were designed to evoke a powerful emotional response. The experience was truly transformative, leaving people moved, inspired, and reflecting on their own connection to the world around them.
What sets me apart is my ability to fuse my background in corporate event production with my love for performance art. I bring a strategic, logistical approach to creative, out-of-the-box thinking—so I can deliver experiences that are not only artistically stunning but also professionally executed. That’s my ultimate goal: to create art that impacts the human consciousness into thinking about the world differently.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I see the industry evolving in exciting ways. As AI and online markets continue to expand, the need for in-person, human connection will become even more essential. In a world where we’re increasingly interacting through screens, people will crave authentic, real-life experiences that foster genuine connections. I believe this will drive a surge in immersive events, live performances, and experiential marketing. More companies like mine will emerge, blending art, technology, and live engagement to create unforgettable experiences that can’t be replicated digitally.
I believe the future of the industry lies in experiences that go beyond entertainment—experiences that evoke emotions, foster deep connections, and leave a lasting impact. People will crave these real-world, immersive interactions more than ever, and I’m excited to be a part of that movement.
Pricing:
- Reach out for pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artofairentertainment.com/
- Instagram: @art_of_air
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arianagradow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artofairentertainment
