Eye of the Whale Writers Retreat: Listening to the Land

Listening to the Land is three-day retreat on San Juan Island, WA. Workshops are lead by poets Jill McCabe Johnson, Danny Sherrad, and Abigail Morgan Prout, joined by authors Thor Hanson and Robert Dash. Poetry and writing workshops, immersive nature field trips, poetry readings, photography, time to reflect and write, and the cammarderie of fellow writers.

Thursday afternoon May 15 - Saturday evening May 17.

Home base is Saturn's Return Farm on San Juan Island w 3 nights lodging available to reserve (additional cost). Arrive May 15, depart the 18th. Suggest taking one of the two morning ferries to arrive by noon on 15th. Saturday dinner and Fri/Sat lunches are included in the 3-day tuition.

THURSDAY, opens at 1pm

On Thursday afternoon we convene at Saturn's Return Farm and enjoy thought provoking stories and environmental activity updates from authors Thor Hanson and Robert Dash whose works intersect the arts and nature. Meet our Poets, Jill McCabe Johnson, Danny Sherrard, and Abigail Morgan Prout. Farm to Fork dinner option at the Farm.

FRIDAY, 9am start for workshop and field trip activities

Join poets Jill McCabe Johnson and Danny Sherrard for this full day of land-based experiences with writing activities. Visiting the precedent-setting land protection models of San Juan County Land Bank Preserves, you will learn about the fascinating features of these places, practice listening to their story, and translate those experiences into the written word or song. Land Bank conservationist and writer Shauna Barrows is our field trip guide.

Morning is focused on field experiences, picnic lunch is provided, and then afternoon we return to the farm for poetry workshopping, writing, and selecting a piece to share in the poetry reading 'Sing the Body Electric' at Waterworks Gallery in Friday Harbor.

SATURDAY, 9am start at field trip site, includes afternoon workshop at Farm

On Saturday we start the morning at Lime Kiln State Park overlooking the Salish Sea and learn techniques for deep seeing, moving at the speed of lichen, and develop our inner story in response to the natural world. Author and noted photographer Robert Dash will be joined by poet Abigail Morgan Prout to create a supportive container for seeing, listening, and walking in nature.

Bring your journals, sketch books, and cameras for this written and visual arts exploration.

Robert will focus on photographic visual storytelling. Abigial on nature inspired poetry writing.

From the sea, we will journey up the hill to a Land Bank Preserve and will be joined by Shauna Burrows to look at the story of the land, in its own voice. After a picnic lunch, we will return to the farm and select photographic images and writings that tell the story of our close observations. These works will be showcased during the Saturday evening dinner at Brickworks.

SATURDAY EVENING

Saturday evening you are welcome to attend the Eye of the Whale SPLASH! This dinner, creative showcase, music and performance art event welcomes Eye of the Whale participants and family members who may be traveling with you. 6-9pm in Friday Harbor. Your dinner ticket - and 2 lunches, Fri and Sat - are included in the 3-day tuition. Additional Saturday dinner event reservations are available on the ticket page for your guests. Limited space is available for a special raku firing art experience during the Dinner event.

Robert Dash and Abigail Morgan Prout, Saturday Guides

Info: On Thursday afternoon we convene at Saturn's Return Farm and enjoy thought provoking stories and environmental activity updates from authors Thor Hanson and Robert Dash whose works intersect the arts and nature. Meet our Poets, Jill McCabe Johnson, Danny Sherrard, and Abigail Morgan Prout.


Farm to Fork dinner option at the Farm.

Info: Friday Morning, we meet at the Farm and then head out to a nature preserve.


Join poets Jill McCabe Johnson and Danny Sherrard for this full day of land-based experiences with writing activities. Visiting the precedent-setting land protection models of San Juan County Land Bank Preserves, you will learn about the fascinating features of these places, practice listening to their story, and translate those experiences into the written word or song. Land Bank conservationist and writer Shauna Barrows is our field trip guide.




Morning is focused on field experiences, picnic lunch is provided, and then afternoon we return to the farm for poetry workshopping, writing, and selecting a piece to share in the evening Poetry Reading, 'Sing the Body Electric' at Waterworks Gallery in Friday Harbor.

Info: On Saturday we start the morning at Lime Kiln State Park overlooking the Salish Sea and learn techniques for deep seeing, moving at the speed of lichen, and develop our inner story in response to the natural world. Author and noted photographer Robert Dash will be joined by poet Abigail Morgan Prout to create a supportive container for seeing, listening, and walking in nature.


Bring your journals, sketch books, and cameras for this written and visual arts exploration.


From the sea, we will journey up the hill to a Land Bank Preserve and will be joined by Shauna Burrows to look at the story of the land, in its own voice. After a picnic lunch, we will return to the farm and select photographic images and writings that tell the story of our close observations. These works will be showcased during the Saturday evening dinner at Brickworks.

Saturday evening you are welcome to attend the Eye of the Whale Splash! this dinner, creative showcase, andperformance art event. Incl in tuition.

Also check out other Arts events in Friday Harbor, Literary Art events in Friday Harbor, Workshops in Friday Harbor.