Join Jan Freeman, acclaimed poet and Paris Press founding director (1995–2018), for the fifth Writing Through Art: MASS MoCA Poetry Retreat, with art from around the world, June 9 – 15.
In this transformative 6-day poetry retreat, we will experiment, play, and create dozens of drafts while exploring the ways in which art can create a portal, inviting new perceptions, memories, and emotions. The focus of the retreat is on opening our imaginations and sharpening all of our senses as we write. Workshops will take place via Zoom, but participants can make arrangements to stay in North Adams or Williamstown to enjoy MASS MoCA and the Clark Art Institute in person. New and experienced poets are welcome!
Louise Bourgeois, “The Couple”
Unique prompts and writing exercises will help you shed self-consciousness and find powerful new ways of expressing yourself. 90-minute workshops in the mornings and late afternoons will introduce you to artwork from MASS MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, and museums and galleries from around the world.
Each poet will receive a private 60-minute conference to discuss your poems, creative goals, or a manuscript in progress.
The retreat begins with a welcome gathering and introduction on Wednesday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Workshop schedule: 10: 00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Enrollment is open until the retreat is full. Maximum number of students: 8.
Click here to contact Jan Freeman at janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com for additional information and to sign up!
Please note: Though the June workshops will take place via Zoom., retreat participants are welcome to independently make reservations at hotels or Airbnb’s in the Williamstown/North Adams area so that you can spend time at MASS MoCA and the Clark Art Institute while enjoying the experience of glorious June in the Berkshires. https://massmoca.org/visit/stay/ https://destinationwilliamstown.org/
“I deeply appreciate Jan’s feedback and the work of the retreat. The structure was fantastic. I felt energized by every writing session. Her framework is so inspiring. Our consultation really helped me begin to find my poetic voice. I can now name part of what eluded me about my writing, which was the element I didn’t quite understand and finally can own.”
“The MASS MoCA Ekphrastic Poetry Retreat exceeded my expectations and gave me sustenance that I wasn’t fully aware I needed. The retreat helped me to recognize the necessity of poetry in my daily life and how visual art can help generate new inroads to poetic ideas and daring.
My personal manuscript review with Jan might be my favorite part of a workshop filled with favorite parts for me. Jan gave my manuscript careful attention, and her comments were detailed, encouraging, and generous, and aimed at considering my goals and where I am now as an artist. I also was impressed by Jan’s talks about poetry and poetry writing to the group, and the poems she brought for us to read and discuss, consider as models and inspiration….”
“Jan Freeman’s Ekphrastic Poetry Residency and Workshop at MassMoCA offered a unique opportunity. Jan provided excellent (optional) writing prompts that opened me up to my imagination and to new discoveries. For me, the concentrated writing time gave me a chance to go deeper. I learned so much from Jan’s teaching and guidance and from connecting with other poets.”
Application
Please email a brief paragraph to Jan Freeman at janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com, describing your interest in the Writing Through Art Poetry Retreat, and your poetry background. All levels of experience are very welcome!
Tuition
$800. Payment via Venmo or PayPal preferred. Or checks can be sent to Jan Freeman, Writing Through Art, P.O. Box 487, Ashfield, MA 01330. One $200 discount is offered to a poet who expresses the need for financial assistance.
To reserve your space, contact Jan Freeman at janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com. A maximum of 8 poets will be accepted.
Please share this link with your poetry friends!