MASS MoCA Writing Through Art Poetry Retreat: June 12, 2024 – June 16, 2024, in the heart of the Berkshires.
Explore the many ways that painting, sculpture, and photography can open your poems and perceptions in this expansive and generative 4-day writing retreat. New and experienced poets are welcome. A welcome gathering and introduction will take place at The Artist Book Foundation located on the MASS MoCA campus. Through daily prompts, exercises, readings, and discussions, you will experience the many ways that art can open memories, emotion, the imagination, and help you explore new poetic ways of expressing yourself. A one-hour private consultation about your poetry and goals is included. The retreat is limited to 10 poets. Please submit 3 poems and a brief statement of interest by May 10, 2024. Applications will be accepted until retreat is full. Email janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com.
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Jan Freeman and poets at the October Writing Through Art Poetry Retreat, reading drafts in the Prow.
Together we will explore the many ways that painting, sculpture, installations, and photography can open your perceptions and your poems in this expansive 4-day writing retreat.
Morning workshops will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the galleries of MASS MoCA and the Clark Art Institute. Afternoons and evenings are yours to spend as you wish. Many poets enjoy spending more time writing in the museum visited in the morning or exploring the Berkshires, walking along the beautiful trails at the Clark, and working on new poems and revisions.
Reservations will be been made for participants to visit Laurie Anderson’s virtual reality installations “To the Moon and Back,” and “Chalkroom” and James Turrell’s “C.A.V.U.,” “Perfectly Clear,” and “Hind Sight.”
A one-hour private consultation to discuss individual poems and writing goals is included. In-depth manuscript consultations and private coaching can be scheduled with Jan separately.
Apply
Please email 3 poems and a brief statement of interest to Jan Freeman. Registration is open until the retreat is full, with a limit of 10 poets. Experienced and new poets are welcome. For additional information, email Jan Freeman at janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com.
Poets writing drafts in response to Edvard Munch’s paintings at the Clark Art Institute.
Comments from poets
I loved being immersed in the art and having this in-person experience. Access to MASS MoCA and the Clark was wonderful. The writing prompts and exercises helped to reinforce the associative connections between art and writing, and I appreciated hearing the first drafts of other poets. Often we only get a day at a museum. But this retreat afforded us all the wonderful opportunity to come back to the exhibits, and spend much more time in the galleries. Many of my drafts became finished poems that are now included in my new poetry manuscript.— R. Rossi, Vermont
The MASS MoCA Writing Through Art Poetry Retreat exceeded my expectations and gave me sustenance, helping me recognize the necessity of poetry in my daily life and how visual art can help generate new inroads to poetic ideas and daring.
My private poetry review with Jan might be my favorite part of a retreat filled with favorite parts. Jan’s comments were encouraging, generous, and aimed at considering my goals and where I am now as a poet. I also was impressed with Jan’s talks about poetry and writing to the group, and the poems she brought for us to read and discuss, consider as models and inspiration.—Genevieve Carminati, Maryland
Sharing a draft perched on a windowsill at MASS MoCA.
Poets writing drafts in response to sculptures by Anselm Kiefer at MASS MoCA.
Cost
$650. Limited financial assistance is available.
Admission to MASS MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, and the Williams College Museum of Art is included for the days we visit each museum.
Poets are responsible for room and board during the June retreat. A variety of airbnb’s are available, and hotels can be found at https://berkshires.org/business-directory/hotels. A group rate will be available until April 15, 2024, at Hotel Downstreet, across from the MASS MoCA campus in North Adams. Contact Kelsey Gardner at (413) 663-6500, https://www.hoteldownstreet.com.
Questions? Contact: Jan Freeman at janfreemanpoetry@gmail.com.
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Poets responding to Elle Perez’s “Intimacy” exhibit at MASS MoCA