The June 11 participants (photos on this page by Dawn Burns and Bex Miller)
Dawn Burns, author of Evangelina Everyday and founder of SwampFire, says "Each year I turn to SwampFire the same way geese at sunrise stop their swim and turn to face the sun. I welcome the return to the sacred space—each year both familiar and new, through every turning of my life."
SwampFire welcomes two new participants in 2022, Cait West and Cheryl L. Caesar.
Cait West, echoes Dawn's thought: "My first time at SwampFire and it has been lovely. A circle of artists creating a sacred space—and I have felt at home."
Cheryl, Associate Professor of Writng, Rhetoric, and American Cultures at Michigan State Univeristy, muses: "I am human; nothing human is alien to me. Thank you, Mary Catherine, Dawn, and the writers' circle for reminding me of this precious fact."
Marian Plant, author of Faith Formation in Vital Congregations, says "Returning to SwampFire this year is 'the best.' Open space for opening up senses and writing. Knowing the space, the host, some of the group
. . . it felt like a family reunion—maybe of cousins. Good to be back."
Steve Smith, who generously opens the grounds of 4 Corners Gallery Studio & Pottery for SwampFire each year simply declares, "Always a favorite weekend."
Mary Catherine Harper, author of The Found Object Imagines a Life: New and Selected Poems, says "Here at SwampFire I am reminded of all the years of support I've received from the writers and artists in this circle . . . and I am ever so grateful."
Joyce Meier, who was awarded Michigan State University's 2021 Outstanding Supervisor Award, has a similar thought: "What a lovely day, talking in the circle about poetry, art, life, animals—"
Rachel Baker, Customer Success Manager and poet, describes the gathering this way: "SwampFire is, as always, such a rich opportunity to share creativity and inspiration with talented artists. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of it year after year."
Bex Miller, Poet, says "SwampFire gives me space, the space I need to create, the space to open up to myself and connect to beautiful people and grounding land."
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SwampFire supports the work of artists and writers through retreats