Creating Like A Mountain: Alex Strong and Sally Stockwell

Would you like to deepen your creative engagement with the Maine woods? This special three-day retreat will immerse participants in the older forests and crystalline ponds of Borestone Mountain. This retreat is open to artists, writers, and creatives, broadly construed, who draw inspiration from the more than human world. On the first day we will traverse an unimproved road and take a short boat ride to access Maine Audubon’s Borestone Mountain Lodge. The Adirondack style lodge on Midday Pond will be our home and studio during the three-day workshop.

Each day wildlife ecologist and Maine Audubon Director of Conservation Sally Stockwell and Maine guide and philosopher Alejandro Strong will lead forest walks and workshops designed to help participants take note of the details and feeling of their surroundings, drawing on the many trails, surrounding forests, and alpine ponds and mountaintop for inspiration.  Participants will then have opportunities to integrate their experiences into their artistry. Workshops will draw on ecology, climate science, and a diverse mix of environmental philosophies to enliven our connection with nature. In addition to planned activities, time will be set aside for reflection, conversation, and creation.

Details: 

The workshop is scheduled for June 19 – June 21, 2023.  Meet at the Borestone access road at 10 am, Monday, June 19. Workshop includes rustic accommodation for two nights, all meals prepared from locally produced goods, transportation to and from the lodge from the gate (directions here). Depart Wednesday after lunch to be back at the gate no later than 3 pm. Participants will be sent detailed information prior to the workshop.

> More about Maine Audubon’s Borestone Audubon Sanctuary

> More about the lodges

About the Instructors:

Alejandro Strong was born in South Florida. He has spent most of his life exploring and leading trips among the waters and woods of Northern Maine with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, Apeiron Expeditions, and Packraft Maine. Alejandro earned his PhD in Philosophy from Southern Illinois University, with a focus on Latin American and Environmental Philosophy.

Sally Stockwell is a professional wildlife ecologist working every day to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat.  One of her current focuses is on protecting relatively undeveloped forested landscapes and enhancing forest habitat for fish and wildlife.  Sally has also traveled and worked as a naturalist, environmental educator, and outdoor adventure leader in Maine, Minnesota, Yosemite and Katmai National Parks, and across numerous western states.  She holds a Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Maine Orono, and thinks sheltering at Borestone is magical.