March 4-10, 2011. Still a few places left! Use this form to register.
You are invited to join Professor Robin Greene, MFA, for six days of writing, renewal, and self reflection. In a supportive small group atmosphere, you’ll be encouraged to find your own creative center and to surprise yourself with the power of your words. You’ll have the opportunity to work with memoir, journaling, poetry, and mixed genre writing in an intimate workshop environment. If you are working on a project — bring it. We’ll provide you with coaching and encouragement.
The retreat is designed to accommodate both novice and experienced writers, and it is limited so as to offer an especially satisfying small group experience. Through writing exercises, discussion, caring feedback, and the simple gift of time, you’ll gain knowledge and perspective about the art and craft of writing. Our goal is to empower you to tell your story well, and to lift and share your voice—widening your lyrical range and adding to the tools in your narrative toolbox.
In addition to daily writing exercises in organized sessions, Robin will meet one-on-one with participants so that each writer feels nurtured and personally served.
You’ll have an opportunity to retreat and write on your own if you choose, but there’s also plenty to do here. We’ve scheduled daily yoga, stretching and meditation sessions, and shiatsu massage sessions, and there’s ample time for other activities such as walking, hiking, bird-watching, and visiting village weaving and artists’ studios.
What the Retreat Includes:
* 15 hours of group writing instruction
* One 45-minute coaching and feedback session
* 5 one-hour yoga sessions
* 2 one-hour meditation sessions
* 1 shiatsu massage, one hour
* 6 nights lodging
* 6 breakfasts
* 4 lunches and snacks
* 3 dinners
Once we are on-sight and based on group interest, we can arrange for a guided bird watching expedition, for an evening session in a traditional Temezcal women’s sweat lodge, and for additional massage sessions, all for a nominal additional cost. There are lovely walking paths around the village, along the river and into the countryside near a local reservoir. You are welcome to venture out and explore the village and its environs on your own. Personal safety is not a concern here.
Come join us in an inspiring setting of great natural beauty for an opportunity to explore and lift your voice, enrich, and empower your world.
About the Workshop Leaders
Robin Greene is a Professor of English and Writing, and Director of the Writing Center at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She is also co-founder and editor of Longleaf Press, a literary press that publishes contemporary poetry. Greene is the recipient of a NC Arts Council/NEA Fellowship, a university teaching award, and a visiting professorship in Romania. Her work is widely published in literary journals. Greene has led community and conference workshops, has served as a writing consultant, and has taught creative writing for over two decades. Her books include Real Birth: Women Share their Stories (nonfiction), Memories of Light and Lateral Drift (collections of poetry), and Augustus: Narrative of a Slave Woman (a novel, forthcoming in 2010). Greene holds an M.A. in English from SUNY-Binghamton and an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Click here to read Robin Greene’s C.V.
Our certified yoga instructor is an experienced workshop leader who combines yogic practice and philosophy with meditation, creativity and improvisation.
Norma Hawthorne has produced arts and educational programs in Oaxaca, Mexico, through Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC since 2006. She has offered tapestry weaving, natural dyeing, painting, documentary filmmaking, and photography workshops that have been attended by participants from throughout the U.S., Canada and from as far as Australia. During her twenty-five year career in higher education, Norma has organized national award-winning continuing education programs for Indiana University, University of Virginia, and George Washington University, and has raised more than $20 million for The University of North Carolina School of Nursing. She holds the B.A. from California State University at Northridge and the M.S. from the University of Notre Dame.
Lodging/Accommodations and Cost
To keep this program affordable, we have selected clean and basic accommodations at a woman-operated bed and breakfast inn that is part of their family compound. Josefina, along with her mother-in-law Magdalena and daughter Eloisa, prepare delicious meals from scratch.
Base Cost: $995 per person double occupancy with shared bath facilities. Single rooms are available and the single supplement is $200. A limited number of double occupancy rooms with private bath, and single occupancy with private bath are available. Please indicate your preference below.
[ ] I will share a room, double occupancy with shared bath, $995 per person.
[ ] I prefer a single room with shared bath, with a $200 single supplement for a total of $1195 per person.
[ ] I will share a room, double occupancy, with private bath, with a $200 per person supplement for a total of $1195.
[ ] I prefer a single room with private bath, with a $300 single supplement for a total of $1295.
The cost includes six nights lodging double occupancy, six breakfasts, four lunches, three dinners, one massage, daily yoga, and all instruction. Most travel workshops of this type and length cost more than twice as much!
The trip does NOT include airfare, taxes, gratuities, travel insurance, liquor or alcoholic beverages, some meals, and local transportation to and from Oaxaca city.
We reserve the right to substitute instructors and alter the program as needed.
Reservations and Cancellations
A 50% deposit ($500) is required to guarantee your spot. The final payment for the balance due (including any supplemental costs) shall be postmarked by January 15, 2011. Payment may be made by check or PayPal. We will be happy to send you an itemized invoice.
If cancellation is necessary, please notify us in writing by email. After January 15, 2011, no refunds are possible; however, we will make every possible effort to fill your reserved space. If you cancel before January 15, 2011, we will refund 50% of your deposit or $250. We strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation, baggage, emergency evacuation and medical insurance before you begin your trip, since unforeseen circumstances are possible.
To get your questions answered and to register, contact: normahawthorne@mac.com or call (919) 274-6194
Please make your deposit payable to Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC, and mail it to: Norma Hawthorne, 110 Blue Heron Farm Rd., Pittsboro, NC 27312. Thank you.
This workshop is produced by Norma Hawthorne, Oaxaca Cultural Navigator LLC. We reserve the right to alter the program and substitute instructors.
More information here.
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