The Family of Things: Writing the Self and Nature through the Work of Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver’s writing connects the human experience with the universal elements of nature, of the earth. She focuses on the importance of observation, and writes of paying attention and being open to being astonished. Through a deep, day-long exploration of Oliver’s poetry and essays in the natural beauty of the Gell Center we will write in multiple forms, ultimately unmasking our truths, and following Oliver’s advice to share our stories.

Ren Van Meenen, PhD., teaches Writing, Literature and Media Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology. She is the longtime editor of Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts & Cultural Criticism and the Book Review Editor for the Journal of Poetry Therapy. Ren has edited several collections of poetry and has contributed writing to Art Papers, Art New England, Source: Ireland’s Photographic Review, Afterimage, City Magazine, Film Festival Reporter, National Association of Artists’ Organizations Newsletter, Western New York Artist Residency Exchange Catalogs, the Pyramid Arts.