ACW Updates 📣
Throughout 2022, we’re kicking off each first Friday with a happy hour of writing here at ACW from 5 – 6:30. Friday Night Writes is your space to decompress, connect, and write with a community of other creatives in a warm, inviting environment. Sleep in an extra hour on Saturday because you got your writing done the night before.
These events will be casual yet productive. We’ll provide light refreshments, prompts, and other helpful materials. Best of all, it’s free (donations appreciated)! So, even if you’re brand new to writing or not sure whether to call yourself a “writer”, you too belong here at Friday Night Writes.
ACW PAST announcements 🗓
Show us an artist who hasn’t failed. Actually, don’t—that would be boring. EMBARRASSING is a fun chance for all to share their oldest, most earnest attempts at creativity. We all could use a laugh, even if it’s at ourselves. LEARN MORE ABOUT EMBARRASSING HERE.
EMBARRASSING: A shame-free open mic for your worst, earliest work
Friday, Dec 3rd, 7 – 8 PM at ACW (15 Broadway St., Saranac Lake NY)
$10 donation | Masks and proof of vaccination required for all. Space will be limited to allow for safe social distancing at the event.
It’s that time of year—our annual appeal campaign has begun. Support ACW today!
Saturday, November 13, 1-3 PM, FREE (Donations welcome)
The stakes are high for writing the personal statement for college application essays. This part of the application process is an exciting chance to stand out and share with readers a piece of who you are. In this virtual workshop, we will work on crafting a personal statement with a captivating narrative, powerful prose, and your own specific voice. The virtual workshop will include brainstorming and generative writing exercises, discussion of sample essays, tools and tricks for writing and revision, and more. Writers in all stages of their college essay writing process are welcome to attend
We’re proud to share our 2021 Impact Report! These pages tell the story of everything we accomplished this past year – and it’s a lot.
We want to thank our community, supporters, and board members who helped us continue to thrive. We couldn’t have done this without you.
Join us in celebrating the six fantastic residents of this year’s Anne LaBastille Memorial Writing Residency. Readers include: Erin Adair-Hodges, Maria T. Allocco, Samantha Burns, Amy Fisher Quinn, Carter Sickels, Alice Turski.
Masks are required for all attending.
Saturday, Oct 9 at 2PM | FREE | 95 Twitchell Inn Road, Eagle Bay, NY
event | *SOLD OUT* an evening with russell banks (Friday, 9/24) 📘
Nationally acclaimed author Russell Banks will read from his new novel, Foregone and sign books celebrate the opening of Adirondack Center for Writing’s new event space at 15 Broadway in Saranac Lake! Copies of Foregone will be available for purchase for signing at the event. Copies will be available for purchase in advance at Book Nook in Saranac Lake.
- September 24, 2021 at 7:00pm at Adirondack Center for Writing, 15 Broadway, Saranac Lake
- $10 to attend (SOLD OUT)
- All attendees are required to wear masks
ACW has moved! At long last, we have found a home for North Country readers, writers, and storytellers at 15 Broadway in Saranac Lake, NY. Stop by and visit us at our Open House on Thursday, September 16 from 5:00-7:00pm.
As the safety guidelines evolve, ACW is excited to be adding in-person events to our digital offerings this summer. Thanks to your continued support, the ACW community remains strong. Continue to stay connected via email and at events for more opportunities to create, learn and share laughs together. — Adirondack Center for Writing Staff & Board
event | celebrate acw’s new space! 🥳
At last, a home for all readers, writers, and storytellers in the Adirondacks!
- A place for conversation and discovery
- Cozy spaces for reading and writing in the company of fellow lovers of the written word
- Private teen writing lounge to foster the next generation of writers
ACW is excited to announce the opening of its new event space at 15 Broadway in Saranac Lake with an open house during the Third Thursday ArtWalk. All are invited to visit the new center free of charge and meet the newest staff member, Tyler Barton.
- September 16, 2021, 5:00-7:00pm at Adirondack Center for Writing, 15 Broadway, Saranac Lake
- Unvaccinated are required to masks
Visit | Raining Poetry Project in downtown saranac lake ☔️
Presented in partnership with Village of Saranac Lake Arts & Culture Advisory Board
“This will be a celebration of rainy weather, something to enjoy rather than to avoid. Our weather here is unpredictable and rarely sunny for long. Rainy weather brings locals and tourists alike out of the woods and into town, and when they come, they will be greeted with poetry at their feet.” –It’s Raining Poetry in Saranac Lake, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
- Poems are painted on the sidewalks at Saranac Lake Town Hall, Saranac Lake Free Library, Berkley Green, Saranac Lake Post Office, and the Saranac Lake Skate Park
watch | poetry resigns in the north country each spring 🍊
PoemVillage has wrapped up and all the poems have gone into hibernation for the year. But, you can watch this video featuring the magic of PoemVillage from Mountain Lake PBS.
Thanks to this year’s incredible sponsors: Adirondack Health, ArtyLadyMsD.com, Geomatics Land Surveying, International Paper, Play ADK, Spencer Boatworks, and Tell Media
watch | Wild ideas presented by Acw + Adirondack explorer 🌄
Hear about the wild ideas that became “A Wild Idea: How the Environmental Movement Tamed the Adirondacks” by Brad Edmondson. Adirondack Explorer Editor Brandon Loomis interviewed Edmondson about his 19-year project interviewing the people who fought for and against the Adirondack Park Agency Act.
WATCh | virtual american portraits 🧳
On March 25th, 2021 Mountain Lake PBS held a virtual event highlighting changemakers throughout the North Country as a part of the American Portrait! ACW was invited and participated as a local changemaker. Learn more about the American Portrait project.
WATCh | Virtual Howl story slam live 🎤
LIVE from closets and couches, the Virtual Howl Story Slam took place on March 19, 2021 and featured nineight storytellers from across the North Country who told tales on the theme “March Madness.”
The winner of the night was Aaron Todd with a tale of the madness of the birth of two new kiddos.
watch | Challenges and Opportunities in Journalism in 2021 and Beyond 🗞
A conversation with new and veteran journalists on the evolving nature of journalism, and how they see the path to moving forward with a new administration vowing truth and transparency. Part storytelling, part conversation on how the culture of “fake news” has affected journalism today.
Rex Smith, editor-at-large at Albany Times Union, acts as moderator. Presented by Adirondack Center for Writing and Adirondack Explorer. Panelists include Tom Curley, Adam Federman, Charlotte Hall, Brandon Loomis, Brian Mann, Rex Smith, Bridget Williams, and Robert Worth.
REAd | ACW FEatured in “The Art of Reopening: A Guide to Current Practices Among Arts Organizations During COVID-19” 📈
National Endowment for the Arts surveyed arts organizations throughout the country about reopening practices and creative responses to programming in 2020, during the pandemic. They published a report highlighting what they felt were successful responses to the crisis: promising tactics, best practices, and insights through nine selected case studies. The Adirondack Center for Writing was one of those nine selected arts organizations, chosen for their innovative responses to programming during COVID.
Check out the report, especially pages 11 and 21-22.
WATCh | Virtual Howl story slam live 🎤
LIVE from your living rooms, the Virtual Howl Story Slam took place on December 18, 2020 and featured six storytellers from across the North Country who told tales on the theme “Holidays: The good, the bad, the ugly.”
The winner of the night was Tanya Roy with her tale of a holiday adventure, full of unexpected mishaps.
WATCH | When Lightning Strikes ⚡️
Curated by Adirondack Center for Writing x Bowery Poetry Club
These organizations, one rural and one urban, have developed a deep love for one another over the years and are finally able to collaborate for this brand new event. When Lightning Strikes was designed to introduce new poets to Adirondack audiences, and new audiences to Bowery Poetry Club poets.
Hosted by Jive Poetic featuring Mahogany L. Browne, Adam Falkner, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Omar Holmon, Cynthia Dewi Oka, and Ramya Ramana.
WATCH | Raining Poetry Project Reveal! ☔️ Produced by Bing Bang Boom, Inc. Shot by Jordan Craig
Check out the Raining Poetry Project from home! This new video captures the beauty of the Raining Poetry Project during the reveal event with one of the poets, Mary Sanders Shartle.
Write & Read 📓 Weekly writing prompts + Featured Writing
Creative writing prompts to kick off the dust and inspire you to create and re-work your writing. The incredible and talented ACW family is stepping up and sharing their expertise with you! Future prompts are provided by Julia Alvarez, Mahogany L. Browne, Joseph Bruchac, Betsy Folwell, Sue Halpern, Bill McKibben, Jon Sands, Steve Stern, Chase Twichell, Lauren Whitehead & more.
- This week’s prompt was created for you by: ACW Staff
- Responses have a special space under Featured Writing
Let’s look forward to the future together
Help ACW continue to support you through the coming months. The future might feel overwhelming, but ACW is committed to infusing joy into your life with upcoming programming! With your continued support, ACW can offer new online classes every month, story nights, a discussion series, writing workshops for teens, and more for all ages.
Make this winter amazing for the ACW family. Be a part of ACW. Give now.
adirondackcenterforwriting.org 