The writers retreat at Hedgebrook wants to share its cultural wealth with locals.
The Whidbey Island community is invited to help celebrate 19 years of Hedgebrook’s successful program, one that has hosted 1,000 residencies for women writers from all over the world. Hedgebrook will host an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22.
The annual open house is an opportunity for the community to visit Hedgebrook’s local setting of meadows, woods and organic gardens. The choice setting includes views of Double Bluff beach at Admiralty Inlet — and the grounds and cottages that have long inspired writers from throughout the world.
Hedgebrook alumnae and local residents can take guided tours of the property, enjoy readings by authors and live marimba music, as well as light refreshments prepared by Hedgebrook’s staff chefs.
The program will feature readings by current writers-in-residence.
Writers include Janet Hale, a native American writer from the Coeur d’ Alene tribe who is completing a novel about a 79-year-old native woman who escapes a retirement home; Frances Richey, a New York City poet working on a new manuscript of poems that has the working title “The Warrior;” Anene Ejikeme, a Nigerian writer who is creating a novel based on the issue of gender and Catholic women within the African community; Shasta Grant, an Indianapolis, Ind. writer completing a memoir on her mother who died in prison at an early age; Carolyn Kameya, a San Francisco area non-fiction writer; Wendy Ortiz, a Los Angeles Latina essayist; and Gloria Steinem, the noted feminist writer, journalist and women’s rights advocate who is now working on her memoir, “America as if Everyone Matters.”
Also during the festivities, there will be an announcement of this year’s Hochstadt Award winner.
The Adrienne Reiner Hochstadt Award honors one outstanding Hedgebrook writer-in-residence each year through a gift of $1,500. The award program was established by Hochstadt’s family and friends in her memory.
Guided garden and land tours are scheduled at 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m.
Information about Hedgebrook’s programs will be also available. The event is free and open to the public.
Hedgebrook was founded by island philanthropist Nancy Nordhoff two decades ago. It’s purpose is to give women writers the space and time to create significant works in solitude and community, and also seeks to develop an international network to connect writers and audiences.
Now that Hedgebrook has matured and succeeded in developing a stewardship of the land and a refinement of the retreat, the institution is ready to reach out to the Whidbey Island community and enhance the spirit of participation that exists at the retreat.
In addition to the upcoming open house on Sunday, Hedgebrook continues its “Literary Landscapes” series on Saturday, Aug. 25 when the local community can come and hear Hedgebrook authors read from their work. The ongoing series is held on the last Saturday of every other month.
Check out the Website for more information on the retreat, the reading series and the open house at www.hedgebrook.org. or call 321-4786.
The Hedgebrook Writers Retreat is located at 2197 Millman Road in Langley.
Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
