Links

Bainbridge Arts and Crafts

A nonprofit community organization, with a lively gallery and shop showing fine contemporary art and craft by Northwest artists, and supporting art in the schools.

Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council

Creating a cultural environment on Bainbridge Island where the arts and humanities flourish.

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art

Opening in June, 2013, a beautiful new 20,000 square foot building with space to host exhibitions and educational programs for audiences of all ages, interests and skill levels. With a focus on local art and artists from the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas and the Puget Sound region, BIMA will promote cultural and economic vitality for Bainbridge Island and beyond.

Eagle Harbor Book Co.

Barbara’s local independent bookstore. The place to call if you want to ask about ordering her books, getting them signed by her, and shipped to you.

Field’s End

Serves the writers’ community and nurtures the written word through lectures, workshops, and instruction in the art, craft, and profession of writing.

Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)
SCBWI Western Washington Chapter

For anyone wanting to get into children’s books, this organization is a must. At least look into it. One of the most established writers’ guilds in the country, with regional chapters and also overseas. The SCBWI runs workshops and conferences, and provides crucial inside information for its members on both the craft and the business of children’s books. And you meet many wonderful people—seasoned pros and new hopefuls alike. Anyone can join.

Parabola magazine

This highly regarded journal has been around for over 35 years. Its worthy aim is clear in Parabola’s current subtitle, “Where Spiritual Traditions Meet.” Each quarterly issue explores a universal theme, with essays, stories, interviews, photos and art, all presented in a juicy, thoughtful balance among the traditions (such as Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Native American, Hindu, Literary, Scientific). We need this meeting of wisdoms. The magazine shows that an ongoing spirit of exploration, depth, intelligence, respect and mutual enrichment can, and does exist.

Works & Conversations, an art magazine

Based in the Bay area, publisher and editor Richard Whittaker (also West Coast editor of Parabola) interviews a wide range of artists. He writes about art and creativity with great openness and insight. The magazine has a refreshing mix of voices, and a refreshing mix of thoughtful art in its pages. The website has even more. I was thrilled to find Whittaker quoting the art historian A. K. Coomaraswamy who said, “The artist is not a special kind of person, but every person is a special kind of artist.”

Tracy Cochran, Stories on the Way to Awakening

A wonderful blog, the one I enjoy reading most. Tracy Cochran is executive editor of Parabola magazine, and in her blog she explores the insight arising through reflections on her personal experiences as well as spiritual teachings of others. Beautifully written, wise, and warmly shared.

Spiritual Memoir

A generous site and blog offered by Elizabeth J. Andrew, author of the very fine book, WRITING THE SACRED JOURNEY: THE ART AND PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL MEMOIR. Read reviews here.

THE PEN AND THE BELL: Mindful Writing in a Busy World

Brenda Miller and Holly Hughes have collaborated on this book, blog and website of the same name. They champion writing as a contemplative practice anyone can engage in, whether we are already writers or meditators or not. Open, welcoming, gentle.

THE WRITER’S PORTABLE MENTOR by Priscilla Long

One of the most bracing books on the craft of writing that I know. A great way to revisit and refine the art of the sentence, the paragraph, everything! Priscilla Long presents it all in a voice that rings with her own passion and with great clarity and skill at the very craft she is writing about. Examples from other fine writers are included.

COLLAGE: A NEW APPROACH

The collage artist and teacher Jonathan Talbot (www.talbot1.com) developed a new technique he describes in clear and complete detail in this small book, Collage: A New Approach (www.talbot1.com/#MBK). It is well-written and full of photographs, so an artist can learn and freely use his method of making collage without a liquid adhesive. His workshops too are generous and liberating.

Joseph Cornell

An American master of the art of collage and assemblage (1903-1972), friend of the Surrealists, known especially for his dreamlike and poetic boxes. You can see some of them on the WebMuseum, Paris website. Click on the thumbnails for enlargements.