TWO YEARS AND GROWING

Greetings!

This February marks Hudson Valley Writers Residency's two-year anniversary.

As we embark on year three, with gratitude for our residents and partners who've helped make this endeavor and community the success and beacon of creativity they are, we look forward to exciting new programming initiatives and (big announcement next month and more below)

Residency Offerings Abroad!

Whether you're a resident alum, you’ve stayed with us, partnered with us, or cheered us on from afar, your enthusiasm and support mean the world and fuel everything we do.

And, if you haven't done a residency with us yet, 2025 can be the year you get serious about having fun taking the time and space you need to write and create.

APPLY HERE

Here are Some Highlights

We do solo creation together

October saw a private table-read of a draft of Resident Steven Santosuosso's (Summer '24) television pilot script, brought to life by a cast of local Coxsackie friends and neighbors. The reading was a meaningful opportunity for creators within our cloistered residency context to connect and collaborate with members of the greater village community.

Photo of Creative talk-back following cohort field trip to see WAM Theatre's production of Jessica Dickey’s play Galileo’s Daughter at Shakespeare & Co.

This June, Jessica Dickey (Galileo's Daughter, The Rembrandt, The Amish Project, Apple TV's Physical, Sistering) will host an exciting, in-depth, four-day workshop for writers of various disciplines here at Hudson Valley Writers Residency. Sign-up coming soon. Stay tuned!

Award-winning travel journalist, Shayla Martin (Summer '23) spent her residency working on an exciting newsletter she launched last year, featuring Black-owned businesses, products and travel destinations specializing in the Black experience. HVWR community members can check out and sign up to receive Martin's Newsletter, The Road We Trod HERE.

Summer '24 cohort reunion dinner on the terrace at Dayline Oyster Bar.

Selfie Credit: Jaime Stathis (Summer '24)

Residents made a memorable trip to Beacon, NY to celebrate Bau Gallery's exhibition of HVWR alum Tielin Ding’s abstract photograph Matches of Matches. It was inspiring to see Tielin’s work and talent on display and to share in in the joy of his success.

Many a movie night and discussions ranging from the frivolous to the philosophical enjoy forum in the common spaces at Hudson Valley Writers Residency.

Emma Claire Foley (Fall '24), Gabriel Baron (Fall '24) and Bosie.

Alumni Gabriel Baron (Fall '24) and Corinne Lestch (Summer '23, Fall '24, Winter '25) w/ Bosie.

Alum Corinne Lestch’s mom, Julia Lestch, a talented quilt maker, found out we were stanning over her work and responded by generously donating one of her stunning quilts to the Residency. We will be spending much of 2025 regaining our powers of speech, and we will be consulting the community for the best place in the Residence to install Julia’s beautiful gift. Keep an eye out on instagram so you can weigh in! 

Thank you, Julia!

Mollie Glazer (Fall '23) with her viola da gamba, spent her residency composing a musical about the founding of Nantucket based on the book Half-Share Man by Clarence King. Mollie debuted her musical, a collaboration with playwright, Joan Bigwood, at The Atheneum Library on Nantucket in January of last year.

Norwegian-born, NYC-based interdisciplinary artist, Lisa Hennig-Olsen (Winter '23) received a compelling, two-floor exhibition in Greenpoint, Brooklyn at Guesthouse Gallery Below Last Frontier. A proud HVWR popped down to attend her pop-up solo exhibition.

COMING SOON, STAY TUNED!

HVWR GOES INTERNATIONAL 

We’re working with international partners to expand our reach and offerings, providing writers, artists, and creators unique residency opportunities overseas. First stop: the Caribbean—stay tuned—you won’t want to miss what’s coming this Spring!

WORKSHOPS

HVWR is developing an extended writers workshop weekend with writer, Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project, The Rembrandt, Galileo’s Daughter, Apple TV’s Physical, and the book she co-authored with her sister, Sistering) Keep an eye out for sign-up coming soon. 

LITERARY FESTIVAL

Jessie’s workshop this spring will serve as a pilot initiative to bring more instructors and writing students together in what we hope will become an annual literary festival. By partnering with fellow Coxsackie business owners, we intend to make this just one more reason our historic village belongs on the map. 

GOING GREEN - HVAC OVERHAUL

HVWR is in the midst of removing it’s oil-based heating system and replacing it with a more energy efficient, state-of-the-science Mitsubishi heat pump heating and cooling system. Thanks to the Biden admin’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the expensive new system has been made possible and affordable with both state and federal subsidies. The new system will include mini-splits in every room, improving comfort year 'round and bringing our 130 y/o facility into the 21st century.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. The work you complete here, and your engagement and participation make HVWR a place where creativity flourishes, and dreams take shape.

I look forward to connecting with many of you in the new year, whether in person or online, through the many exciting projects we have in store.

Warm Regards,

Bjorn Thorstad

Executive Director

Hudson Valley Writers Residency