The Songsmith's Art
Conducted by: James Durst, Songsmith

In this workshop, participants will learn various and sundry selections from James' 'Battery of Loose Canons,' a collection of his choral compositions, leading up to a group performance of some of the pieces at the end of the week. During the course of the workshop, participants will also get the opportunity to try their hand at the craft of songwriting.

Quietly Touring the Planet Since 1965, James has performed for audiences of all ages in 43 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, in Russia, Azerbaijan, Japan & India; drawing from a rich and ever-evolving repertoire of distinctive original and collected songs in 18+ languages that reflect a global perspective and underscore the sense of interconnectedness we share with all of life. James engages each disparate audience in a participatory journey distilled from his travels, musically monitoring the pulse of the human condition, bringing us closer to our world and each other.

The interplay of his skillful, rhythmic guitar playing and strong, expressive voice provides a colorful palette which he uses to paint compelling musical pictures that encourage individual empowerment and compassionate relationships, while helping us to feel more hopeful about ourselves and our place on the planet. His performances for adults and/or children are spirited, relevant and often humorous.

James uses his role as minstrel to communicate global and social concerns common to us all, such as our environment, world peace and greater human understanding; while employing the uniquely synergistic qualities of word and melody to dissolve language, cultural and other barriers. Once, after a concert in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, a woman who spoke no English found James backstage. Through an interpreter, she said "I didn't understand a word, but," touching the area of her heart, "I understood what you were saying."

For more information about James Durst please visit his website at:
http://www.jamesdurst.com

DRAMA WORKSHOP - 2002

Journeying with Our Creative Spirit:
Theater Arts as Self-Discovery
Conducted by: Christopher & Katherine Carbone

The Theater Arts of storytelling, improvisation, archetype and character, vocalization, and movement will become our vehicles on a dynamic journey of self exploration and creative expression. At times playful and whimsical, at times meditative and deep, we'll welcome our whole-selves into the creative space together. In the supportive environment of the group process, we'll honor ourselves, our inner artists and each other.

Together as individuals and as community, we will be exploring questions such as: How can we better nurture our creative spirits? What feels sacred to each of us? How can we manifest more joy in life? and What are the true callings of our lives? These musings will serve as our creative touchstones for the week. By working from what deeply moves us, we can discover ways to unleash our true expressive potential! No theatrical experience necessary, just the willingness to explore and have fun!

Christopher Carbone holds an M.A. in Theater and Performance Studies from N.Y.U.'s Tisch School of the Arts. As a Musician, Storyteller, Teaching Artist, and Yoga/ Meditation instructor, Christopher is known for bringing a positive and gentle spirit into his work with all ages from "newborns to ninety-somethings". With years of training and working professionally in the fields of theater, music, and expressive arts, he is committed to helping people transform their lives through creative expression and self-awareness.

As a performer, he's worked in theaters & festivals in New York City and around the Northeast, solo and with groups such as The Living Theater, The Bread & Puppet Theater, Earth Celebrations, The Brothers Grinn and others. Currently he is bringing his Story & Song Celebrations to Storytelling Festivals and Community events around Southern New England.

Katherine Carbone is a Dancer, Visual Artist, Reiki Healer and Certified Dance Meditation Teacher. Katherine's work in art and dance evokes ancient and multi-cultural modes of healing through form, movement, energy and spirit. She is lovingly committed to helping others explore movement, meditation and expressive arts as a path to deeper inner awareness and personal transformation. As a teacher she creates a safe and nurturing environment where all participants feel free to celebrate their creativity.

She has performed at a variety of venues in NY including the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Miranda Theater, 5BC Cultural Center, Dancespace Project and the 6th Street and Avenue B Garden. Her visual art work has been shown in the Downtown Arts Festival in New York City, Bank Street College (NY), National Convergence (Oregon), Laurie Seeman Gallery (NY) and the Bel Air Designer Showhouse (NJ).

Christopher and Katherine Carbone are founders and directors of Present Moment Arts Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the creative and healing arts. Present Moment Arts Center, based in Newport, RI, sponsors events and workshops that nurture the inner creative spark, encourage personal transformation and build positive communities. They can be reached at bpresent@earthlink.net.

WRITING WORKSHOP - 2002

Stand-Up Poetry
Conducted by: Jack McCarthy

Jack McCarthy is a Boston-area working guy who's been writing poetry since the mid-60's. He'd been averaging about a poem a year until 1992-93, when two things happened. First, his new wife blackmailed him into attending a workshop with Galway Kinnell; then he brought his daughter Annie, for her birthday, to the open mike at the Cantab Lounge in Central Square, Cambridge, hoping she'd get excited about poetry. Jack was the one who got hooked.

Since then he's brought out a book of poetry (Grace Notes), two chapbooks (Actual Grace Notes and Too Old to Make Excuses (But Still Young Enough to Make Love)), and a 60-minute cassette tape (Poems for Hannah), and he has a CD and a major book in the works. He was a member of the 1996 Boston National Slam Team, and is an engaging minor character in the feature film Slamnation, which documents those proceedings, and he was a member of the Worcester team at the 2000 National Poetry Slam, where he finished as the 10th ranked individual. The Boston Phoenix has named him "Best Standup Poet," the Boston Poetry Awards "Best Love Poet," and the Cambridge Poetry Awards "Best Spoken Word" and "Best Humorous Poet ." The Boston Globe says, "In the poetry world, he's a rock star." 

Among his influences he numbers Robert Frost, Dylan Thomas, and Garrison Keillor. He doesn't think of himself as a "performance poet," but as a "standup poetry guy." Standup Poetry is, in fact, the name of his Billerica cable TV show, on which he has traded poems with many of the best slam poets, including Taylor Mali and Patricia Smith, but also national figures like Thomas Lux, Donald Hall and Stephen Dobyns. 

Transformational Photography
Conducted by: Cheryl Graves Chambers, Photographic Artist

Come explore the creativity of Polaroid manipulated images with the use of an SX-70 camera. Right before your very eyes, these photographs can be worked into painterly illustrations reminiscent of Hassam, Van Gogh, Monet and other impressionistic artists.

You will learn to view scenes with an eye for changing the photo into an artistic rendition of what you are seeing. You will go home with images that will convert to canvas very beautifully.

This is an interesting and exciting way to transform a photograph into your own work of art.

If you have or can borrow an SX-70, that will be helpful. There will be a few available to borrow during the conference.

About the Artist
Cheryl Graves Chambers started with an avid interest in photography as a child. She attended The New England Institute of Professional Photography and began her professional career in 1986. While at NEIPP, she studied Environmental Portraiture and soon discovered that she preferred outdoor/natural lighting as opposed to the studio format.

She also displayed a talent for the artistic side of photography. Her love for the period of impressionistic art encouraged her to explore the many venues available including the Polaroid medium.

Cheryl has had exhibits of her images in many galleries throughout New England. She has taught environmental portraiture internationally and Polaroid Manipulation nationally.

She is a member of several professional photographic associations including Connecticut Professional Photographers Association (CPPA), Professional Photographers Association of Rhode Island (PPARI), and Professional Photographers Association of New England (PPANE). In addition, she is an elected artist member of the Mystic Art Association and the East Lyme Art League in CT and the Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, RI. 

Cheryl enjoys sharing her talents and knowledge with others and is looking forward to teaching at the Conference on the Arts at Star Island this summer.

DANCE WORKSHOP - 2002

Sole to Soul: Self-expression Through Creative Movement
Conducted by: Ingrid Bredenberg

Ignite your spirit! Free your inner dancer! Explore your unique rhythms. Enhance your artistic creativity as you expand your movement repertoire. "En-lighten" yourself while playing with the laws of gravity and attraction.

Compelling music, powerful visualizations, and a variety of movement techniques will guide you in discovering your own true dance. T'ai Ch'i, contact improvisation, breathing, and other body awareness techniques will provide a foundation for creative movement. Fantasies and props provide inspiration for self-expression. Building a community of dancers we'll encourage each other to greater appreciation of ourselves and others.

About Ingrid Bredenberg
A dancer and organizational coach, Ingrid trains individuals and groups in change strategies, effective communication and powerful manifestation techniques. Her work is designed to unleash and direct the inherent creativity and ability in people to produce outstanding results in their lives and work.

The creator of SunCityDance celebration in St. Petersburg, FL, Ingrid also leads workshops at Dance New England Dance Camp in Maine, Rowe Camp & Conference Center in Massachusetts, and Omega Institute. On Friday nights, you can find her moving to the sounds of world beat, hip hop, disco, celtic and rock with dancers from across New England at the weekly Dance Spree in Northampton, MA.

Ingrid's clients include hospitals, corporations, and educational institutions as well as consultants, coaches and trainers. She facilitates other programs in "Attracting Love," "Shift Happens," "Radically Honest Dialogues between Men & Women," and "Work and Soul."

More information about Ingrid Bredenberg can be found on her website at:
http://www.lifeshaping.com

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP - 2002

Watercolor
Conducted by: Jacquelyne Lotz

"Star" is a magical place in which to renew body, mind, and spirit. I worked in oils for 30 years and discovered water colors and never looked back. I love to experience the out-of-doors with it's sounds, smells and feel of nature around me. To communicate, to express on paper this joy of my surroundings. To capture the light, the mood, the emotion, the sensibility and oneness. This I hope to express to you, the viewer. I love to com to Star to water color the endless compositions through the eye, hand and heart.

— Jackie Lotz

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