This 5-day in-person writing retreat will be a collaborative exploration of poetry and consciousness through conversation of craft, workshop critique and daily yoga practice. Our goal will be to reorient exploration of consciousness through soma (body) and psyche (mind). Participants will have dedicated time to read and write, as well as engage in workshop critique of their own and others’ poems, alternating with discussion of theory/craft.
Bianca Stone will lead discussions on psychoanalytic theory, myth, and poetry in our craft discussions, which will inform our close reading workshops of our poems. Candace Jensen will lead us in daily yoga and meditation, which will be an integral part of the retreat content, (no past experience with yoga is required!) To purposefully influence our writing practice, we will explore age-old practices of:
guided meditation, yoga asana, and yoga nidra (yogic sleeping).
Participants should be prepared to work on personal writing projects based in (or around) poetry. Time for workshop critique, as well as intellectually rigorous discussion, will give way to time to generate new writing, to feel, and to rest.
This week will be rigorous yet distinctly playful. On one hand we will be doing the heady work of discussing readings of poetry and theory, and working privately on our written projects–then we will ground back to the body and the experience of ineffable consciousness. Simple! The ambition will be in our ability to relax into these explorations and just get curious. We’re here to explore, not to know.
Preparation: the retreat begins before we convene in Vermont with readings to be shared in advance, and one sixty minute zoom meeting hosted by the faculty. We will introduce the material and answer your questions.
Workshop & Yoga will take place in the ISPC 2000 sq ft Art Barn, with beautiful west-facing views. There are two yurts which will be writing nooks, 10 acres of woodland and meadow to wander, a gorgeous sunny deck and shaded stone patio.
In Situ Polyculture Commons (ISPC) is a nonprofit arts residency, commons and cultural catalyst located in Southeastern Vermont, on the unceded land of the Abenaki people. They champion the meaningful intersection of creativity and ecology.
Their mission is to cultivate creative expression and cultural resilience by supporting the creative lives and wellbeing of artists and writers, build opportunities for making lasting connections and relationships to place and context, and steward diverse and nourishing commons committed to regenerative practices. They aim to inform, educate and inspire other individuals and organizations to do the same.
Moore’s Guest House includes single rooms and double occupancy rooms. Accommodations are arranged through us, NOT the Inn. After you have been accepted to the program you will receive a link to finish registration and choose a room.
Stay in a historic Victorian Inn amid the natural beauty of southeastern Vermont. The inn is located on a knoll overlooking the picturesque Saxtons River. Enjoy sightseeing, browsing, biking, swimming or just relaxing on their grand front porch.
Applicants must submit 5-10 pages of written work, a bio and written artist statement about why this retreat interests them. The success of this week will depend on trust, openness, willingness to engage together, and above all respect and collaborative spirit. We will all be living, eating and working together for 6 days. The house and grounds will provide opportunities to find privacy, but we will also need to be very aware of the close quarters. Please be mindful about these facts!Â
Requirements:
Zoom Meeting:
What to Submit for Application:Â
Tuition ranges from $1200 to $1800 depending on lodging, ie single rooms cost more than sharing. Rooms are chosen upon payment of deposit.
Th application period has ended.
Donations from this page will subsidize tuition for all students and provide scholarships! Help us make this retreat affordable for everyone by sharing the donation form after clicking DONATE above!
