CNY Branch of Pen Women Busy Creating During Pandemic

Pen Women in the CNY Branch of the NLAPW have made use of the quieter times during this pandemic to work on creative projects. A ZOOM meeting helped us to update one another and provide that valued support and encouragement. Members who were not able to make the Branch's ZOOM meeting were contacted by other Pen Women in attendance to get news.

Here are a few of the fascinating projects on which members are working:

Mary Gardner announced her latest chapbook of poetry, Downsizing, Small Renderings, Broad Canvas has just been released by FootHills Publishing. Mary's new chapbook is available through the publisher and directly from Mary.

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Lorraine Arsenault's poem for the Pen Women/Schweinfurth Art Center's ekphrastic responses to the "Made in New York" project drew special attention from the artist whose work inspired Lorraine's poem. After participating in the Schweinfurth/Pen Women ZOOM, artist Terry Plater contacted Lorraine about her poem. Plater hoped they could engage in a collaborative project and plans to use Lorraine's poem "Train Ride" in a special catalogue of art, featuring her painting, "High Voltage Diptych, France 2019."

The meeting of writer and artist may lead to other collaborations, according to both women. Terry is producing a body of work related to landscapes from the Underground Railroad. Lorraine plans to stay in touch with Terry, and they look forward to meeting each other in person. "This is a new experience for me," said Lorraine. Terry sent Lorraine a photo of her working in her studio.

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Joan Applebaum is back in Delaware after spending the summer at camp in Northern NY. During the summer she was delighted to once again be selected for the juried exhibit “Along the River’s Edge” at the Thousand Islands Arts Center. Joan also taught classes (wearing mask and gloves) at the Arts Center during the month of July. Sales of artwork were surprisingly good even with COVID and all the restrictions. 

Joan also had two pieces published in The Healing Muse 20th edition. The Muse is published by the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at SUNY Upstate Medical. 

She will be reconnecting with the Rehoboth and Mispillion Art Leagues and the Holly Branch NLAPW. 

Pictured below one of her pieces selected for The Healing Muse. “Wading in the Water” hand painted silk banner with tie-dye trim and polymer clay and seed bead medallions. 

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Joan Applebaum also spoke with Sue Murphy, Joan Stier, and Marilyn Forth by phone after the ZOOM meeting. Joan Stier reports she has been busy with virtual art shows and has sold three paintings from the shows. She also has a brand new website:  JoanStierArt.com.

The artists also discussed the idea of offering a virtual show for artists and writers. All were enthusiastic. Sue suggested a moderator who will set time limits for all participants. ~

Janet Fagal had a new poem published in an anthology for elementary school teachers, parents, and children, titled Hop To It: Poems to Get You Moving from Pomelo Books. The anthology was created by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong and features over 100 poems from 90 poets, plus teaching tips, poetry information, and other reading resources.

Janet has copies of the book that she is selling if anyone is interested. She noted they would be welcome gifts for teacher/schools, and for parents to use during Zoom days, etc. I know many of the poets whose poems are included and have read almost all. So much fun and variety. This makes Janet's third anthology in which her poetry for children is featured.

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Rachael Ikins was accepted into two more climate/human rights themed anthologies: “Civilization in Crisis” coming from Foothills Publishing and Just Poets (5 poems) and indieblu press’s “As the World Burns” (2 black and white photos.)  Rachael’s poetry, short memoir, and artworks have appeared in multiple journals here and in the UK in 2020. 

Rachael is also among featured Zoom readers with Persephone’s Daughters, an organization and publication devoted to themes of healing from domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. She completed a poetry manuscript this summer titled “The Cherry Pickers,” an LGBTQ work that has been submitted.

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Jeanne Dupre was able to finish a previous commission that just happened to have her house included on the hill. The title is "The Camps" ~