Writers to gather at farm site
FOXBURG — Nestled in the Allegheny River Valley amidst pastures and trees is an elegant barn belonging to Patricia and Arthur Steffee.
On Sept. 25, the scenic RiverStone Farm will be the site of the first Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts Allegheny River Writers Conference. Drew Orient is the executive director of ARCA.
The one-day conference, which may become an annual event, will be led by professors Philip Terman of Clarion (Pa.) University and Eric Potter of Grove City College.
"The conference will provide a holistic experience, which emphasizes the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts," said jae Brown of Emlenton, ARCA board member and conference coordinator.
"The experience will offer writing time, instruction, conferencing, open mic, dining and fellowship," she added, noting writers will find "ample rustic space for creativity and reflection," at the event.
Brown said ARCA has co-sponsored an area high school writing contest with the Emlenton Civic Club for two years. The conference is way to begin expanding the literary offerings.
Both professors have participated in ARCA's high school writing endeavors. They also have other credentials:
In 2009 Potter was named Professor of the Year at Grove City College, where he teaches modern poetry, American literature and creative writing. In addition to publishing articles on contemporary poets like Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell, he contributed to "The Working Poet: 75 Writing Exercises and an Anthology," released last year by Autumn House Press.
Potter, who has taught at Grove City for 11 years, encourages writers of all ages and stages.
"I think writers at all levels could benefit from the conference. We will focus on some basic principles, which we hope will be especially useful to writers just getting started," he said, adding experienced writers also might benefit from reviewing and practicing fundamentals.
"I think a lot of people in this area love to write, but writing can be lonely. It's great to find like-minded people, to be encouraged, to learn from and teach each other," he added. "I always find my own work is invigorated after being involved in conferences like this one."
A co-director of the Chautauqua Writers' Festival, Terman has taught English at Clarion for 19 years. He also has authored five volumes of poetry: "What Survives," "The House of Sages," "Book of the Unbroken Days," "Greatest Hits" and "Rabbis of the Air."
At the conference, Terman anticipates discussing areas such as finding subjects, working with language, revision techniques and publishing goals.
"I love the idea of working with folks who are enthusiastic about writing, and to help encourage and facilitate the development of the writing arts in our geographical region," he said.
Writers will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued and receive personal feedback from the authors.
Enrollment is limited to 24 participants. Each writer is encouraged to forward a sample of their writing. Information can be found at www.allegheny-riverstone.org/writersconference.html.
<B>WHAT: </B>The Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts Allegheny River Writers Conference<B>WHEN: </B>10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 25<B>WHERE: </B>Events Barn at RiverStone Farm on Foxview Road near Landers Lane in Foxburg<B>INFO: </B>Register by Sept. 10 by sending a check for $80 to jae Brown, Box 737, Emlenton, PA 16373-0737. Include your name, writing genre (fiction, non-fiction or poetry), phone number and e-mail address. Dinner is included, but those who wish to receive the optional brown bag lunch should add $5 to their check. Indicate if you will require a vegetarian dinner. For more information, call Brown at 412-894-8749 or visit www.alleghenyriverstone.org/writersconference.html.
