Workshop: Southern Sampler Artists Colony, A Musing Lowcountry Medley

Charleston, South Carolina. April 7-14, 2014.

Sample a new way of Being rooted in Gullah Geechee traditions set to African rhythms and slow Jazz beats. Meander down Creative Lane, bewitch the spirits, and open your heart to magic. Linda Watanabe McFerrin, award-winning author, and Ty Collins, playwright and educator, will be our musing guides. JACK’S HAT, a movable ritual “play” written and directed by Ty Collins, will be our performing stage.

 

  • One-on-one direction on your literary and creative projects
  • Professional guidance in literary presentation and performance
  • Soul nourishing Lowcountry cuisine prepared by local chefs
  • Creative interaction with the Charleston music and arts community
  • Daily prompts designed to foster life-enhancing experiences
  • Online publication of your stories, poems and photos inspired by the South

April 2014, Charleston here we come! Local friends: writers, artists, performers, chefs, and musicians will welcome us “home.” Together, we’ll embark on a creative journey spun in love, woven with grace and dipped in the wonder of Being. From discovering Geechee Gullah traditions at Middleton Place, to feasting on Frogmore Stew and Hoe Cakes on Morris Island, prepare to be soulfully nourished and inspired. Renewed, we’ll lift our spirits during the Spice Ceremony, a honored Yoruba ritual that celebrates sharing and love.

In addition to organized activities and private consultations (writers can send up to fifteen pages in advance), there’ll be plenty of time for relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation. Feel the sand between your toes. Rock on the front porch!

Accommodations: Workshop participants stay on pristine Sullivan’s Island, only ten miles from downtown Charleston. Three cars will be available for general usage.

Meals: Many of the dinners and lunches are catered; basic breakfast fixings and healthy snacks are also included. There are several grocery stores in the area (Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, for example). Sullivan’s Island offers a variety of delectable culinary choices. Don’t miss the popular Poe’s Tavern!

COST OF WORKSHOP: Cost is $1,800 ($1,950 if paid after December 15, 2013) for a private room, and $1,600 ($1,750 if paid after November 14, 2013) for a shared room. The choice of private and separate rooms depends upon availability at time of registration. In order to assure workshop placement please send a $500 check deposit (fully refundable before November 14th) made out to SSAC with private or shared room preference to: Mary Brent Cantarutti, 233 Santa Margarita Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901. Final payments are due December 15th (for discount); all other payments are due February 1st. There will be ten residential workshop participants; placement will be ? nalized in order of receipt of deposits.

How It All Started . . .
The Southern Sampler Artists Colony, founded in 2006 by two childhood friends—one who never left the South, and one who headed west but always knew her soul was southern—is a haven for writers, dancers, artists, musicians and photographers who want to stir the creative pot, Southern style. first two workshops were at !e Crossroads in South Carolina, a small community nestled in the sand hills and bordered by Black River Swamp. the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth workshops, all for writers, and led by Linda Watanabe McFerrin, were in Charleston, South Carolina.
“Thank you thank you thank you. I had such an enjoyable journey – I know my friends are going to tire of my constant chatting and raving of South Carolina – the people, the food, the art and most of all the soul. I sure do miss South Carolina. It is amazing how y’all got a bunch of foreigners yearning for your little piece of the world.”
—Cathleen O’Brien, San Francisco (2008 – 2013 Workshop Participant)