It wasn't until moving to New York in 1914 that Shawn realized his true potential as an artist upon meeting Ruth St. Denis. The two were married within 2 months on August 13, 1914. St. Denis served not only as a partner but an extremely valuable creative outlet to Shawn. Both artists believed strongly in the potential for dance as an art form becoming integrated into everyday life. The combination of their mutual artistic vision, as well as Shawn's business knowledge, led to the couple opening the first Denishawn School in Los Angeles, California in 1915, with the goal being to meld dance together with the body, mind, and spirit.