Founded in 2008, the Geography of Hope Conference has quickly become one of Northern California’s most exceptional literary events. The Conference takes its name from Wallace Stegner’s famous “Wilderness Letter” in which he described wild landscapes as part of our “geography of hope.” The Conference explores the relationship between people and the landscape through the voices of authors, environmentalists, farmers, and artists at panel discussions, readings, field trips, spirited informal conversations, and art exhibitions.
Preparations kicked off this week with an invitation to artists to submit applications for two new and unique art exhibitions which will be part of the conference. Artwork and proposals submitted must relate to the 2011 conference theme of “Reflections on Water.”
Geography of Hope Call to Artists
-
Outdoor Public Art Projects
Both Marin and Sonoma County artists are invited to submit proposals for outdoor public art projects to be installed at selected sites in Point Reyes Station. Projects selected will be on public display for three months and viewed by thousands of visitors to West Marin. For further details, contact outdoor public art projects curator John Mueller at goh.johnmueller@gmail.com
Download Request for Proposal (RFP)
-
Group Show at Toby’s Gallery
Marin County artists may apply for a group show at Toby’s Gallery. Curated by Mariah Nielson, this exhibition is an exciting opportunity for artists in a variety of media to present work that explores the nature and notions of water. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply. For further details, contact the group show curator Mariah Neilson at goh.mariahnielson@gmail.com
News
-
2011 Geography of Hope Honorary Co-chairs Announced
Poets Brenda Hillman and Robert Hass will serve as the honorary chairs of the 2011 Geography of Hope Conference: Reflections on Water, to take place March 18-20th in Point Reyes Station. Brenda Hillman has published eight collections of poetry, including her most recent collection Practical Water. Included in Poets & Writers list of 50 of the Most Inspiring Authors in the World, Brenda is the Olivia Filippi Professor of Poetry at Saint Mary's College. Robert Hass was awarded the 2009 Pulitzer Prize and the 2008 National Book Award and served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 1995 to 1997. He is a professor of English at UC Berkeley and recently published The Apple Trees of Olema: New and Selected Poems. Brenda and Bob are married to each other and reside part-time in Inverness. MORE
-
Making Plans for Geography of Hope 2011
The Geography of Hope conference brings leading writers to Point Reyes for a feast of readings, discussions, and inspiration. Planning has begun for the third Geography of Hope, to be held in March, 2011. The conference theme will be "Reflections on Water.” A volunteer steering committee met on March 11. Suzanne D'Coney has been hired as conference coordinator. We welcome suggestions for authors who could serve as presenters. Please send your ideas to gohconference@gmail.com
Previous Conferences
-
2009 Geography of Hope Panelists
David Mas Masumoto (Honorary Chair) grows organic peaches and grapes on his family farm in Del Rey in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Author of Harvest Son, Epitaph for a Peach and Four Seasons in Five Senses, he has won numerous awards for his writing, which also has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. www.masumoto.com
Other writers at the 2009 conference included:
Rose Castillo Guilbault is the author of Farmworker's Daughter:Growing Up Mexican in America;
Stanley Crawford, author of five novels and three works of non-fiction,... -
2008 Geography of Hope participants
In March, 2008, to celebrate Stegner's life on what would have been his 99th birthday and honor work that reflects Stegner's spirit and concerns, Point Reyes Books hosted the first Geography of Hope conference. "Celebrating Wallace Stegner." Writers who both knew and were inspired by Stegner spoke about the man and his influence.
Carl D. Brant: The firm of Brandt & Brandt, now Brandt & Hochman, is one of the oldest literary agencies in New York City and has represented Wallace Stegner and the Stegner Estate since 1937. First Bernice Baumgarten of the firm, a legendary agent who was married to the novelist James Gould Cozzens, then Carl’s father, mother, and lastly Carl represented Stegner.Sharon Butala: This award-winning Canadian author, whose fifteen books center on life on the...