Geopoetics News May 2017

Expressing the Earth Conference
Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 June 2017
Seil Island Hall Argyll

It’s only 5 weeks until our biggest ever trans-disciplinary Geopoetics Conference in Argyll with a wide range of creative workshops, presentations, field visits, films, network sessions and performances.

The Scottish Centre for Geopoetics and the University of the Highlands and Islands are hosting Expressing the Earth in Argyll 2017 to bring together creative artists, musicians, poets and film makers along with local people, academics, researchers, students and teachers to explore, create and debate the earth and the environment in this spectacular area of Scotland.

We’ve had a great response to our Call for Engagement and, as you’ll see from the draft programme on our website home page www.geopoetics.org.uk, we have about 50 contributors to the event from different parts of Scotland, England, Switzerland and USA.

It promises to be a very stimulating and inspiring event which should lead to lots of new creative work for possible inclusion in Stravaig.

Themes and activities include literature, history, visual arts, film making, archaeology, geology, geography and theology – with active engagement and creative outcomes as central to the conference as academic papers and presentations. Speakers include Michael Russell MSP, Neil Simco (UHI), Mairead Nic Craith, Norman Bissell, Anna-Wendy Stevenson, Kenny Taylor, Elizabeth Rimmer and Alastair McIntosh. Workshops are from Mandy Haggith, Andrew Phillips, Helen Boden, Julie Ann Thomason, Susanne Olbrich, Mairi McFadyen and Susannah Rosenfeld-King. Performances include Mark Sheridan, Helen Moore, Finlay Wells.

Aerial image by Birgit Whitmore of Ellenabeich with Seil Island Hall next to the largest quarry pool on the right.

The Conference will take place at the Seil Island Hall in Argyll with field visits to create new work on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June to Kilmartin Glen, Easdale Island and the Isle of Luing. There will be poetry readings, musical performances and social gatherings on the Thursday and Friday evenings.

Cost £120 for 3 days, £45 per day, £5 for Friday night ceilidh only. The 3 day cost of £120 includes all sessions, 3 lunches, 2 evening meals and 2 ceilidhs, all teas/coffees and return transport to Isle of Luing, Easdale Island and Kilmartin Glen (and Kilmartin Museum entry).

Places are limited, so please send a cheque made out to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics ASAP to Dave Francis 214 Portobello High Street Edinburgh EH15 2AU to avoid Eventbrite transaction deductions, or book here: http://bit.ly/2nOUyng.
It really is an event that’s not to be missed, and your support and input at it would be greatly appreciated. Hoping to hear from you soon.Free Wifi available in the hall.

All participants will receive a free copy of Grounding a World: Essays on the Work of Kenneth White, Alba Editions rrp £9.95. Participants with relevant books to sell at the Geopoetics bookstall in the Hall should contact us in advance.

Accommodation links: B&B & Self-catering: www.seil.oban.ws

http://www.easdale.org/links/accommodation.htm

Caravans: www.oban-holiday.co.uk

Camping: Argyll Kayaker Cove, North Cuan, Seil 01852 300366

Camping & Camper vans: Highland Arts, Ellenabeich : 01852 300273.

I may also be able to advise you about accommodation if you can’t find any using the online links.

Stravaig Online Journal
The latest issue of our online journal Stravaig is still available to read here: http://bit.ly/2hWgzdI.

There are essays from Jane Verburg and Antonia Thomas, the first and second place prize winners in the Hugh Miller Writing Competition, + James McCarthy on Nan Shepherd, Lisa Macdonald on the Coigach Conundrum and Bill Eddie on an Encounter with a Wall Creeper. There are also poems by Lisa Macdonald, David Francis, LesleyMay Miller, Mike Roman, Clare Diprose and Helen Moore.

Geopoetics Membership
If you join or renew your membership of the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics you will receive:

A free copy of Grounding a World; Essays on the Work of Kenneth White: ed. G Bowd, C Forsdick & N Bissell rrp £9.95

Twice yearly Newsletters by e-mail.

Advance news of and discounts on books relating to geopoetics.

Advance news of Kenneth White and geopoetics events.

Invitations to all our meetings and field visits.

The satisfaction of assisting the development of our geopoetics work and publications.

Encouragement to develop your own understanding of and creative response to geopoetics.

Please send this completed form with a cheque for £10 waged/£5 unwaged, payable to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, to David Francis, 214 Portobello High Street Edinburgh EH15 2AU.

Name …………………………………………………………….

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Postcode ……………………………………………………….

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Please circulate this Newsletter to friends who may be interested. Thank you.