Magic places call to us, enchant us, leave lasting images of life’s treasured moments in our individual and collective memory.  Writing with (not just about) a place or a cluster of places—a childhood playhouse, a lush green rainforest, the sight of our own house at the end of the road, a writing shed at Mesa Refuge, the Lincoln Memorial, a luminescent beach on Tomales Bay—invites us to enter into wonder, to explore an expansive intimacy with beginner’s mind, offers us an opportunity to pay attention to and be curious with what we love about the many places we inhabit. 

We can experiment with changing pronouns from “it” to “who” for places. We can ask places to share their secrets and sorrows, historical events and cultural relationships from their past. We can write love letters to places, prayers and peace treaties, declarations of interdependence, covenants of protection from harm or disfigurement. 

Each participant will bring three images of places they want to write with or be guided by and engage with a story or poem (or any form of writing) that emerges during our time together. Come join us and make some magic.

Sliding scale $50-100. Limited to 12 participants. Please reach out to nkansky@mesarefuge.org if the cost of the workshop is prohibitive to your participation.

Cancellation Policy: In order to receive a partial refund (a $15 admin fee is deducted from your payment), we require 7 days notice. 

Jaune Evans is a writer and visual artist. She serves as a senior meditation teacher and ordained Soto Zen priest with the Heart of Compassion Zen Sangha and the Bay Area Everyday Zen lineage. Jaune worked in public policy and philanthropy for three decades as the Executive Director of several foundations. Her ongoing interests and professional expertise include public health and hospice, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, protecting sacred lands and waters, cultural and human rights, gender empowerment, and global justice alliance-building. She serves on the Board of Directors of Commonweal, as well as the leadership team of Healing Circles Global. Her relationship with and love for Mesa Refuge as Board Member, Spiritual Writing Fellow, and Creative Advisor spans seventeen years of vibrant life in the Bay Area.