The summer of ’08 promises to be busy and well-balanced, bringing in folks to maintain the island, learn about the books, discover the soul through photography and find peace and solitude to create through visual arts, writing, or music.
To apply for the openings listed below, please e-mail Beth Waterhouse at beth@bethwaterhouse.com. An application form and other materials will then be sent to you directly. (You also may download an applicatioin form below.)
Read closely to see if the week you desire already has been filled by the group planning the program, or whether it has openings as of mid-January. Each year offers new opportunities to Mallard visitors. Cost per person per week is $150 (plus shared meals) unless a workshop fee is specified. Your labor is your participant fee on work weeks.
May 25-31 Work Week / Gardeners
Don Maronde will be the primary caretaker this opening work week. Gardeners will do landscape “awakening” work. The group already includes new folks and some involved in program weeks in other years. Four openings as of 1/16.
June 1-7 Work Week / Birders
This week’s participants will continue opening the Island and completing various projects begun earlier. Included are the three birders who have caught and counted songbirds for several years. Work also continues on the Caboose on Gull Island. Week is Full.
June 8-14 Readers Work Week
Jean Replinger, host. Participants will spend half days on projects responsive to Mallard’s needs. Many, but not all options have to do with care of the books, maps, or prints. As readers, participants are invited to choose two books from a different category each day for evening sharing. This leaves open time for exploring, canoeing, painting, sketching, or naps in the breeze. Possible openings as of 1/16.
June 15-21 Writers Group from Minnesota
Connie Szarke, host. Participants will gather and set goals in the morning, write all afternoon on various projects, and share writing in the evenings. Much happens this week regarding writing education, exploration, and innovation! Week is full.
June 22-28 “The Emotional Landscape”
Doug Beasley, host and educator. Doug says, “With this title, I’d like the workshop to be about making, not taking photographs that matter, from a deepening connection to one’s heart and soul and bringing that awareness into our photo making process.” $500 per person includes facilitator fees. Six openings as of 1/16.
June 29-July 5 Rest Week
During this week, Elaine and Steve Thrune will do tree trimming work.
July 6-12 Chicago Artists Week
Jason Hardwig, host. A mixed group of actors, writers, artists, and musicians, traveling to Mallard Island from Chicago but several hailing from the Ranier or I-Falls community. Some come with specific projects, others for open-ended time to compose, write, or draw in solitude. Openings to be announced.
July 13-19 Storytellers Week
Sharon Henneman, host. This is a gathering of storytellers come to the Mallard to do what they love best. No specified teacher, but an experienced group for sharing and mentoring within the art of storytelling. Openings to be announced.
July 20-26 Poets and Song
Tim Young, host. Scouring the library of musical collections for forgotten masterpieces, this week’s artists will immerse themselves in “art’s spiritual core.” Their work stems from that place where nature, the human artist, the curious mind, and divine inspiration combine for the expression of beauty. Week is full.
July 27-Aug 2 Rest Week
August 3-9 Ojibwe Language Speakers
Dennis Jones, host. This week is an immersion in the Ojibwe culture and language, and brings together some of those First Nations people who knew or whose ancestors knew Ober well. Openings to be announced.
August 10-16 Songwriters
Barbara McAfee, host. Each songwriter will have the opportunity to spend days composing, practicing, writing, musing, reading, collaborating… or wandering. In the rush of daily living, most artists do not get enough time to reflect and experiment. Evenings to gather and share, improvise, or trade songs. Week is full.
August 17-23 St. Croix Writers Group
Jan Jenson, host. Group is based in Solon Springs, Wisconsin. Coming together to seek a collective opportunity for solitude, renewal, inspiration, and connection with the world of nature. The group intends to “absorb the spirit of the wilderness and what it was like in Ober’s days on Mallard.” Evening campfires and sharing. Week is full.
August 24-30 Children’s Book Writers
Mary Casanova, host. Over the years, countless books for young readers have been started or revised on Mallard Island. The Island offers a sanctuary and an inspiration through Ober’s attention to the arts and his passion for preserving wilderness. “The Island works its magic on us.” Week is assumed full.
Aug 31-Sept 6 Individual Artists Week
Beth Waterhouse, host. Come with your own projects in the process of creation from all media: writing, music, visual arts, nature art… This is an open week for artists who have enjoyed Mallard in previous years or who are new to the Island. Six openings.
