“The garden is a metaphor – the garden brings hope, life, dreams met, dreams lost…essentially transcendence” MayerWasner will host a group show, over the course of the festival of three remarkable textile artists; Rebecca Levi, Jann Chefitz and Christi Johnson, curated by Pam Mayer.
Jann Cheifitz found salvation during covid when the world was unraveling by stitching together loose threads into fantastical security blankets, to ward of despair, offer a sense of perseverance and hope. Christi Johnson is a stitch sorceress, imbuing her work with symbolism and meaning, turning to the celestial bodies for inspiration and as a partner in the creative process. Rebecca Levi’s Flower Beards series uses traditional flower motifs of embroidery, knotted with blooms, colors and petals to create utopian stitched portraits that explore queer identity and gender expression.
The show will run all weekend, with a cocktail viewing on Friday 6/21 from 5pm.
Part of Ratty Books Children’s Programming
Bring the whole family for a self-guided meander through The Tusten Heritage Community Garden and follow a book through the way! A way to pause and connect reading to nature. Our walk features the beautiful book In the Garden by Emma Giuliani and follows a garden throughout the four seasons. Stop and consider questions for kids and growns alike such as ‘what do we see in nature that shows us Summer is coming?’ Come, slow down, and enjoy a book in nature at your own pace.
Illustration from In the Garden by Emma Giuliani
The indie/DIY corners of the publishing world play a pivotal role in shaping the current literary landscape. Come browse this selection of independent publishers, imprints, zine makers, artists and authors, and join us for curated reading of select works at 12:30pm.
Presented in association with The Narrowsburg Union and The Hound Books Roscoe.
Every two years the Sullivan County Public Library Alliance appoints a Poet Laureate to promote the “Spirit of Sullivan County.” Join us on Main Street, Narrowsburg, as we kick off the Deep Water Literary Festival with a showcase of all five of Sullivan County’s poets laureate past and present, including the newly-appointed Kevin Scott Graham, as well as Eric Baylin, Mark Blackford, Sharon Kennedy-Nolle, and Lisa Titus. This is a rare opportunity to experience all five of Sullivan Country’s poet laureates reading works that draw on the festival’s theme. Refreshments will be served in local stores. Presented in association with Sullivan County Public Library Alliance.
Select writers will present their true tales based on the theme “Gardens” Dedicated to the art and craft of story, Yarnslingers was founded in 2012 by writer/musician Ramona Jan. She believes that, “Everyone has a story…or two,” and encourages people from all walks of life to spin their spellbinding tales. Featuring Ramona Jan, Greg Triggs, Janice Meyerson, Alex Gardner, John Roynon, Kiki Reginato, Bizzy Coy, Bill Fellenberg and Teresa Tulipano.
Learn how to transform a memory or experience from your life into the focused art of flash memoir (under 1000 words) with writer and editor Melisse Gelula. This is a nonfiction writing workshop for adults 18 years and up. No formal writing experience necessary!
Together we’ll read contemporary examples of flash memoir, identifying the tools writers use to achieve their short, sweet—and emotionally rich—stories.
Attendees will begin a draft of their flash memoir in the workshop and receive ideas and motivation for continuing independently at home. If time allows, some attendees may have the opportunity to share their new work.
Please bring a pen and notebook.
This workshop welcomes the participation and partnership of Tusten Social Sage Sessions.
Join us at various locations on Main Street for poetry, short readings, and refreshments as we celebrate the launch of Deep Water Literary Festival 2023.
5:00pm The Mildred Complex(ity), 37B Main St, Alastair Gordon discussing his exhibition Pattern Recognition 2.
5:30pm MayerWasner, 55 Main Street, with Sarah Mann, Sharon Kennedy Knolle, Meredith Moyer, and Stacy Wakefied.
5:45pm Krause Hall, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, 37 Main St, Laurie A. Guzda, Elaine Leet, and Mike Vreeland read from Musings a collection of short stories written to inspire and delight. Bound together through a theme of “new beginnings”, these short stories feature 12 eclectic narratives by eight local authors.
DVAA, 2nd Floor Gallery THE OR-WALL Bring your creativity and imagination to this giant paper wall. Record your response to George Orwell quotes entrenched in modern literary thought. Draw, compose a poem, scribble your thoughts—whatever medium you choose. Share your creativity with other festival goers, as you reflect on Orwell’s words. Note: The Or-wall runs throughout the festival weekend.
6:15pm The Ruffed Grouse Gallery 144 Main St, with David Kenner, Paul Legault, and Zarah Cabañas. Plus art by Lucy Sante, David Kenner, and Dave Walsh.
Tim Bruno of WJFF Radio Catskill leads a podcasting workshop for middle and high school students. Learn the fundamentals of what makes a fresh story, crafting a narrative, and creating a pitch. Award winning podcaster and journalist Ilya Marritz will be on hand to discuss his process and ground the class in some of the basics of investigative reporting.
Open to ages 12-18.
Space is limited.
Isadora Alteon will lead a workshop for middle and high school students on worldbuilding in dystopic fiction. Students will get a grounding in the genre, looking closely at text from 1984 and other sources. Marlon James will discuss his process and then students will independently create the beginnings of their own world in writing or visually.
Open to writers and visual artists aged 12-18.
Space is limited.
Some art and writing supplies provided but if there is a medium you like to work in please feel free to bring.