The Artist’s Eye, The Writer’s Voice

Writing on California’s Wild Edge

Author Elizabeth Fishel, Mesa Refuge Director Susan Page Tillett and West Marin Artist and Printmaker Tom Killion

Join us for this fourth annual winter writers’ retreat, an inspirational and idea-filled weekend that mixes writing, art, observing nature and exploring inner and outer landscapes. The weekend will combine guided writing activities, lively discussion, sharing work, supportive coaching, and an artist’s talk to deepen and enliven your writing voice.

On Saturday afternoon, Tom Killion will host us in his nearby studio for a session inspired by his print-making and illustrated books, and on Sunday morning, Susan Page Tillet will lead a session on the metaphors of color and space.

WHEN:  Saturday, January 26th, 10:30 am-4:30 pm and Sunday, January 27th from 10 am-12:30 pm
WHO:  Writers and artists, women and men of all levels of experience as well as interested fellow travelers and creative folks
COST:  $225 for the weekend. Drinks and snacks provided both days and a light breakfast on Sunday.  Lunch on Saturday from Cowgirl Creamery is available for $12. There will be an optional pizza dinner at Cafe Reyes in Pt. Reyes Station on Saturday night.

For more information and to register, please contact Elizabeth at [email protected]

Workshop Leaders

Elizabeth Fishel has led numerous writing workshops at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, and privately in Oakland and West Marin.  She’s the author or co-author of five nonfiction books including Sisters, Reunion, and Getting To 30.  She is working on a book about creativity and home in the second half of life called Home At Last:  Wharton’s Garden, Vita’s Tower, Allende’s House of the Spirits and Other Domestic Reinventions.

Susan Page Tillett is the executive director of The Mesa Refuge and the author of The Ragdale House Speaks and What’s To Wear, Beatrice Bird? She has offered many workshops on creative writing using the language of color and Feng Shui.

Tom Killion was inspired by the rugged scenery of Marin County and Northern California from an early age to create landscape prints using linoleum and wood, strongly influenced by the traditional Japanese style of Hokusai and Hiroshige.  He founded his own press, Quail Press, in 1977.  Among his many books are three co-written with the poet Gary Snyder including California’s Wild Edge: The Coast in Poetry, History and Printspublished in 2015 by Heydey Books.

Lodging

There are three lovely rooms available at the Mesa Refuge to rent this weekend. Each has a queen-size bed, amazing views of Tomales Bay and the gardens, and ample space for writing (two come with a separate writer’s shed). You can have the room to yourself or bring a partner.

The Mesa requires rooms to be rented for at least 2 nights (Friday/Saturday). The two rooms downstairs with a shared bathroom and sinks in both rooms are $235 each/night ($470 for the weekend). The master bedroom upstairs in a stunning tower has a private en suite bath and is $275/night ($550 for the weekend).

As a special option this year, if you’d like to extend your stay to include Thursday night and/or Sunday night, you can do that for $200/night for the extra night(s). Check in is at 3 pm on your arrival day. Downstairs you’ll also find a large, fully equipped, eat-in kitchen, a comfy, book-lined living room with a wood burning stove, a ping pong table outside, and decks and gardens galore. This place is heaven on earth for writers! You can see photos here, but for rental information, please contact [email protected].

A list of other overnight lodging suggestions in Point Reyes and Inverness is also available on request.

From Previous Participants

“What a glorious weekend!  I feel revived and inspired.  This event was a beautiful work of art.  Thank you so much for the spectacular room, and the caring, talented community of writers.”

“The rich stew of this weekend’s workshop was nourishing and enriching—beautifully organized, presented, and facilitated.  I’ve done lots of workshops, and I know what it takes to make it look easy.”