photo by Kaycee Clark
Grand Junction, CO
A Gesture in the Making: The Art of the Small and Humble
Western Colorado Writer’s Forum, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Less is not just more but an open store. This class, four hours of play and curiosity, integrates the writing of poetry with Alcohol Ink painting. No experience with writing or painting is necessary, just a willingness to be led by the blank page, the pen as it glides, the paint as it moves. What’s that supposed to mean? Come find out as friends Wendy Videlock and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer experiment, too, letting intuition come through the gestures of our bodies, the gestures of the arts. You’ll come away with some small poems and small paintings, and perhaps a growing notion of what happens when we let the world move us. All painting supplies will be provided in the class. $55. A supplies fee of $7 is to be paid in class. For more information, contact Sandra Dorr, sandydorr@bresnan.net .
July 1
Telluride, CO
Why Look Like a Dead Fish? A Day of Reading and Writing with Rumi
Ah Haa School, Stone Building, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“With passion pray. With passion make love. With passion eat and drink and dance and play. Why look like a dead fish in this ocean of God?”
Jalaladin Rumi (1207-1273)
And with passion, we’ll read and converse and write. Rumi, a Sufi poet, theologian and teacher born in Persia, has been the best selling poet in America since the 1980s. His is a universal voice for cosmic, Divine love, not limited by religious beliefs, not embroiled in dogma. Into our modern, synthetic, technological world starved for real ecstasy, Rumi spills ecstasy.
For six hours, we’ll talk about Rumi’s life, read his poems from multiple translators, and write our own poems in response to his words. All are welcome, regardless of poetic experience. As Rumi would say, “It’s rigged—everything in your favor. So there is nothing to worry about.” For more information, contact Jess Newens at 970-728-3886.
August 12
Grand Junction, Colorado
Drawing on Trees: An inspired class of drawing and writing
Grand Junction Art Center, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Go out on a creative limb with artist Meredith Nemirov and poet Rosemerry
Wahtola Trommer. In this six-hour class, we’ll let the trees lead us to art and poetry, conversing across centuries and cultures with other lovers of trees. Students from other “blended” classes led by the same instructors have said,
“I loved the different approach. Very fun.”
“Both instructors were highly knowledgable and complemented each other. The
workshop was a good merging of art and poetry.”
“Wonderful experience melding the word and the line. Loved it!”
Consider the day a gift to your muse. Students of all levels welcome. All materials supplied. For more information and to register, contact Charles Wallis, cwallis@gjartcenter.org.
August 16-18
Telluride, CO
Writing the Path: A Writing Retreat Where Nature Meets Human Nature
Ah Haa School, Stone Building, Friday 7-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Our idea of poetic exercise? Wander through wildflower meadows and alpine rock basins before you sit down to write. Jog your imagination with works by other fabulous writers. Volley ideas, flex your senses, and stretch your sense of the sacred.
For one evening and two days, we’ll follow both literal and metaphorical paths, exploring the life of the mountains and the landscapes of the heart. Whether you write only to-do lists or craft best selling novels, this workshop (better labeled a playshop) will revive the deep pleasures of reading and writing poetry and help you fall more deeply in love with the word and the world. For more information, contact Jess at 970-728-3886 or visit http://www.ahhaa.org.