The Sun Valley Center for the Arts is presenting two writers' workshops in June at The Center in Hailey. Author Steve Almond's workshop, "Writing Stories That Sing," will be held Monday, June 14, through Friday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The workshop will focus on how to write stories that rise into the lyrical register. Expect a candid discussion on the mistakes aspiring writers make and several take-home exercises.
Almond is the author of the story collections "My Life in Heavy Metal" and "The Evil B. B. Chow" and the nonfiction books "Candyfreak" and "Not That You Asked." His most recent book, "Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life," chronicles his devotion to rock 'n' roll and will be released by Random House in April.
Fara Warner's workshop will look at how the natural world has inspired writers for centuries. Students will read, write and go on field trips that will help them begin a memoir or jump-start an existing memoir-writing project. The workshop will meet Monday, June 21, through Friday, June 25, from 10 am to 3 p.m. each day with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m.
Warner is a lecturer in communication studies at the University of Michigan and the 2007--09 Howard R. Marsh visiting professor of journalism. She has been a journalist and author for more than 15 years, writing for national publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Forbes, and is the author of "The Power of the Purse: How Smart Companies Are Adapting to the World's Most Important Consumers—Women."
Workshops will be held at The Center's Hailey location, 314 Second Ave. S. Cost for each workshop is $300 for Sun Valley Center for the Arts members and $350 for nonmembers.
Warner will also teach "Blogging Intensive" from Thursday, May 6, through Saturday, May 8, at The Center in Hailey. The class is $100 for Center members and $150 for nonmembers. The classes on Thursday and Friday will take place from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday's class is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition, The Center will offer several classes and one-night workshops at The Center in Hailey, including a "Social Networking Series" on Thursday, April 22, "Exploring the World of Facebook," and "To Tweet or Not to Tweet, That is the Question" on Thursday, April 29. The classes will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and are $25 for Center members and $50 for nonmembers. Both classes are $40 for Center members and $90 for nonmembers.
The Center in Hailey will have offer "Introduction to Pastels" with Irene Lester, from Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The class is $275 for Center members and $325 for nonmembers. On Wednesdays, May 5-26, The Center in Hailey will hold a drawing theme study, "Tea Cups, Trees and Faces" with Mitsuru Brandon. The class is $90 for Center members and $140 for nonmembers.
Lastly, The Center in Hailey will offer "Mixed Media/Collage" class with Vicki Fish on Thursday, May 13, through Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The class is $230 for Center members and $280 for nonmembers. There is a $20 supply fee.
To register or for more information, including information about scholarships and financial assistance, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call 726-9491, ext. 10.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Steve Almond will teach a workshop, “Writing Stories that Sing,” Monday, June 14, through Friday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to noon each day at The Center in Hailey. Photo by
