Another World: Poetry & Art by Young People from the Poetry Studio

In 1995, Ann Gengarelly opened The Poetry Studio, a place where people ages 7 to 17 could engage deeply with nature and tune into their own inner creativity.

In this presentation, Ann and her husband and collaborator Tony, are joined by Vermont Poet Laureate Chard deNiord (2015-2019) and former Poetry Studio participants to discuss young peoples’ poetry and art as a significant creative practice with important personal and social consequences: compassion and connection; inclusion and diversity; nurturing and healing community.

In Fall 2021, Tony and Ann published Another World: Poetry & Art by Young People from the Poetry Studio, a 224 page book containing 150 poems and drawings created by participants. Selections from the book are on display in the Museum Lobby, and the book is available from purchase from the Museum Store.

This event is open to all and free of charge. Please Note: Masks will be required for audience members during this program.

About Ann Gengarelly

Since 1980, Ann Gengarelly has been a poet-in-the schools throughout Southeastern Vermont and neighboring Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She is Director of The Poetry Studio at her home in Marlboro, Vermont, where during the past twenty-five years she has offered after-school programs in poetry and art for students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The Studio also runs summer workshops for young people (age 5-17) that feature poetry, art, and bookmaking with a focus on the natural world. Since 2002, Ann has taught studio creative writing classes for adults as well. Gathering together, participants ranging in age from their 20s to 70s create a rich and extraordinary community. She has had the privilege to teach poetry workshops (2000-2010) on the Navajo Nation at Little Singer Community School in Bird Springs, Arizona. In many ways the indigenous practice of community—the inclusion of young people with elders—has informed the composition of her Studio classes. For seven years Ann was a Faculty Associate at Hampshire College where she offered courses such as “Creativity and the Young Child” and “Integrative Seminar: The Creative Process.” She has been a consultant for the Integrated Day Program at the University of Massachusetts. Using poetry as a model, Ann has designed and presented professional development workshops for teachers at Lesley University, Bank Street College, and the Antioch NE Graduate School of Education. Ann holds an MA degree from Goddard College in creativity and education with an emphasis on poetry-in-the schools. She received an honorary degree for Teaching Excellence from Marlboro College in 1988.

About Tony Gengarelly

Tony Gengarelly is Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Along with survey courses in American Civilization and Western Art History, his teaching career has included literature, political science, modern and decorative art, and museum studies.He has also taught on the Navajo Nation and introduced Diné weaving and sandpainting, along with the Santero art of the American Southwest, to his college students. For the past several years his work has focused on the creative process and its social and cultural crosscurrents. Since 1999 Tony has taught art and bookmaking for The Poetry Studio’s summer workshops. He has been drawn especially to the “outsider” features of young people’s art: its unfettered focus and originality; its direct communication of complex ideas and emotions through color and line; its use of word and image with creative and powerful expression. Tony has curated individually or produced with his students over 40 exhibitions. Some of these have been featured at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williams College Museum of Art, MCLA Gallery 51, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Endicott College, Eastern Michigan University, Wheaton College, and the 94 Porter Street Gallery at MCLA. Tony holds a Ph.D. in American and New England Studies from Boston University and a MA from Williams College in the history of art.

About Chard deNiord

Chard deNiord was Poet Laureate of Vermont from 2015 – 2019. He is the author of six books of poetry, In My Unknowing (University of Pittsburgh Press 2020), Interstate (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2019), The Double Truth (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2011), Speaking In Turn with Tony Sanders, Gnomon Press, 2011, Night Mowing (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2005), Sharp Golden Thorn (Marsh Hawk Press, 2002) and Asleep In The Fire (University of Alabama Press, 1990). He is also the author of two books of interviews with eminent American poets: Sad Friends, Drowned Lovers, Stapled Songs, Conversations and Reflections on 20th Century Poetry (Marick Press, 2011) and I Would Lie To You If I Could  (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2018). He has co-founded a number of writing programs. He retired from teaching at Providence College in 2020,where he is now Professor Emeritus of English and Creative Writing. He serves as board member of the Sundog Poetry Center in Vermont, is the essay editor at Plume Poetry Journal, and lives in Westminster West, Vermont with his wife, Liz.