Words in the Woods Returns for 2021 Season

Vermont State Parks is excited to announce the return of the Words in the Woods program. These programs allow Vermonters and visitors to enjoy our state’s natural beauty while listening to and reading literature in the outdoors. Words in the Woods events are made possible by Vermont Humanities, the Vermont Arts Council, and a sponsorship by a Northeast Kingdom donor in honor of poet Judy Chalmer.

Take a look at the schedule, get to know our presenters, and save the date. 

Can't wait for this years events? Check out recordings of last year's programs. 

 

SCHEDULE

*NEW DATE* DIGITAL Words in the Woods with Shanta Lee Gander

July 14 at 7:00 pm, Vermont Humanities Digital Channels

In this virtual presentation, poet Shanta Lee Gander visits Sweet Pond State Park in Guilford, Vermont.

Shanta Lee Gander of Brattleboro’s work has appeared in PRISM, ITERANT Literary Magazine, Palette Poetry, BLAVITY, DAME Magazine, TheCrisis Magazine, and the Ms. Magazine Blog. Shanta Lee is the 2020 recipient of the Arthur Williams Award for Meritorious Service to the Arts and was named as Diode Editions’ full-length book contest winner for her debut poetry compilation, GHETTOCLAUSTROPHOBIA: Dreamin of Mama While Trying to Speak inWoke Tongues.

She is an MFA candidate in Creative Non-Fiction and Poetry at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She has an MBA from the University of Hartford and an undergraduate degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality from Trinity College. To see Shanta Lee’s photography and writing, visit Shantaleegander.com.

Words in the Woods with Verandah Porche

July 24 at 11:00 am, Knight Point State Park, North Hero. Check here for sign-up information.

In this live presentation, poet Verandah Porche leads an in-person visit to Knight Point State Park in North Hero, Vermont.

Porche has published three books of poetry, The Body’s Symmetry, Glancing Off, and Sudden Eden. Sudden Eden, her most recent collection, includes work from the 1990s to the 2010s. Porche has published in Ms., The Atlantic, The Village Voice, The New Boston Review and Vermont Organic Farmer, among others. Learn more about Verandah at www.verandahporche.com.

DIGITAL Words in the Woods with Sarah Audsley

August 18 at 7:00 pm, Vermont Humanities Digital Channels

In this virtual presentation, poet Sarah Audsley visits Taconic Mountain Ramble in Hubbardton, Vermont. Sarah Audsley, an adoptee born in South Korea and raised in rural Vermont, has received support for her work from the Rona Jaffe Foundation and residencies from the Vermont Studio Center and the Banff Centre. Her manuscript-in-progress received a 2021 Creation Grant from the Vermont Arts Council. She lives in Johnson, VT where she works for the Vermont Studio Center. She holds an MFA in poetry from Warren Wilson College’s MFA Program for Writers. Learn more about Sarah at www.sarahaudsley.com.

Cancelled - Words in the Woods with Bryan Blanchette

** Due to inclement weather we have cancelled this in-person outdoor event. Bryan will be leading two First Wednesdays events in November and April.

Bryan Blanchette is a singer-songwriter who brings more than ten thousand years of Abenaki tradition to his contemporary compositions. He began powwow drumming more than two decades ago and soon after began writing Abenaki language songs. Bryan also studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Read an interview with Bryan on the Vermont Arts Council website.