Exploring Borestone’s Mountains, Ponds, and Old Growth Forests through nature journaling, storytelling, and artistic expression

Co-hosted by Monson Arts

This special three-day retreat and workshop is designed to deepen creative engagement with the Maine woods, and immerse participants in the older forests and crystalline ponds of Borestone Mountain. It’s an opportunity to explore a unique ecosystem, from the lilliputian mosses and lichens to the panoramic views of Borestone’s summit.

Open to artists, writers, and creatives, who draw inspiration from the natural world, we will traverse an unimproved road and take a short boat ride to access Maine Audubon’s Borestone Mountain lodges. The Adirondack style lodge on Midday Pond will be our home and studio for this three-day exploration. This workshop is designed for advanced creatives who work in any art form and would like to enrich their engagement with nature. While we will introduce some new techniques and tools for recording your nature experience, this is not a beginner class.

With nature journaling as our foundation, each day Maine Audubon Director of Conservation Sally Stockwell will lead forest walks drawing on the many trails, surrounding forests, and alpine ponds and mountaintop for inspiration. Melissa Sweet, illustrator and Maine Master naturalist, will offer writing prompts and visual storytelling exercises, designed to take note of the natural world in unexpected ways. In addition, Sally and Melissa will draw on ecology, climate science, and environmental philosophies to enliven our connection with nature. Along with optional planned activities, time will be set aside for reflection, conversation, and exploring inventive ways of working.

Details:
The workshop is scheduled for June 16 – June 19, 2024.  Meet at the Borestone access road by 3 pm, Sunday, June 16. Workshop includes rustic accommodation for three nights, all meals prepared from locally produced goods, transportation to and from the lodge from the gate (directions here). Depart Wednesday after lunch to be back at the gate no later than 3 pm. Participants will be sent detailed information prior to the workshop. Registration fee includes three nights of lodging and all meals (Sunday dinner- Wednesday lunch).

Instructors:
Melissa Sweet is an award-winning author and illustrator of many children’s books, from board books to nonfiction titles. Sweet wrote and illustrated the New York Times bestseller, Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White, Balloons Over Broadway, and illustrated two Caldecott Honor books: A River of Words and The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, both by Jen Bryant. She’s currently illustrating a book by the poet Mary Oliver. Along with being a Maine master naturalist and Maine Guide, Sweet teaches nature journaling and documenting the natural world with words and images. She lives in Portand, Maine.

Sally Stockwell is a professional wildlife ecologist working every day to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat.  One of her current focuses is on protecting relatively undeveloped forested landscapes and enhancing forest habitat for fish and wildlife.  Sally has also traveled and worked as a naturalist, environmental educator, and outdoor adventure leader in Maine, Minnesota, Yosemite and Katmai National Parks, and across numerous western states.  She holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine Orono, and thinks sheltering at Borestone is magical.