In addition to the many other fabulous performers coming to this year's Sweetwater905, we have a terrific lineup of writers. Check out the poster and hope to see you there!

After a very long winter, our first outdoor gathering of the year!

l-r Karl Mattson, Wayne Sawchuk, Brian Jungen, Emilie Mattson, Marilyn Belak, Peter Daly, Rena Mattson, Emma Mattson, Hollis Mattson, Ed the dog, and Chancey the dog

On February 22, 2013, another Spirit Dawson Creek poetry event will take place. This year, the event will be held at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery and will start at 7 pm. Just some of the writers who will be taking part include G.P. Lainsbury, Rebekah Rempel, Linda Studley, Peter Cooper, Ruth Hill, and more!

I've been invited to read at this year's Post North reading in Prince George on February 8, 2013. Looking forward to it.

While shopping for food for our Christmas party, I bumped into poet and old friend Rebecca Fredrickson! We first met in 2000, at the Wired Writing program in Banff. Rebecca's parents live near Rolla these days, and Rebecca was home for the holidays. It was a delight to have her come to the party and to catch up on all that's happened since we last saw each other.

A great crowd turned out for the End of the World Party at Albert's Loft with enough fun and music that midnight came and went without much notice.

Shown here is Wayne Sawchuk, me, Fran Haughian, and Emilie Mattson.

We attended Peter von Tiesenhausen's opening reception of his marvelous exhibit Elevations. From sculpture to drawings to a video installation, the pieces are humanness made epic. The show runs from December 14, 2012 - February 10, 2013 at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. I highly recommend it.

A few of the many who took in the opening reception: (l-r) me, Barbara Swail, Emilie Mattson, Marilyn Belak, Wayne Sawchuk, and Michael Boronowski in front of one of Peter's magnificent pieces.

Blurry photo but great reading by Charles Simic at New York University's Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House. Proof of my luck to be there.

This fall, The Fiddlehead launched its West Coast issue and the The Malahat Review launched its East Coast issue.

I am really pleased to be a part of both issues, with a review of an East Coast book (Riel Nason's The Town that Drowned) in The Malahat Review and two poems in The Fiddlehead.

A great article came out today in the travel section of the Globe and Mail. Written by the talented Bruce Kirkby, the article features the world of the Muskwa-Kechika. You can read it here.

My daughter is getting married August 25th in Baddeck, Cape Breton, and for her bridal party we commissioned a painting by Rolla artist and musician Dean Mattson. It is composed of 9 separate paintings that when pieced together create one painting. Each member of the bridal party will get one of the paintings, a piece of the whole.

The title of the painting is "Everyone who Heard," as in, "everyone who heard came to the party."

Isn't it fabulous? Thank you Dean!

Shown here is Dean with the painting before he cut it into 9 separate pieces.

I hope so. Now that I'm back from the Muskwa-Kechika, I'm hoping for a few weeks of life at a somewhat slower pace, which may give me time for writing (and the occasional sit on the deck with a glass of wine, as depicted here). For now, I have 3 poems in the current issue of The Fiddlehead, a review and some new poems coming out in future issues of The Malahat Review, and some poems forthcoming in a few anthologies. Thanks to all of the editors who selected my work.

So maybe there isn't a bank in the Muskwa-Kechika (and that's a good thing!), and maybe I wasn't pouring a stiff after-heist drink (it was probably tea) and okay, the bank bag held Brian Jungen's lunch. But having just spent nearly a month on the trail with fabulous companions such as designer and owner of the best salt and olive oil I've ever tasted, Lindsay Brown (also the author of this photo), birder extraordinaire Rob Butler, adventurer, writer and all-around nice guy Bruce Kirkby, as well as one of our most gifted and influential conceptual artists, and holder of the heist/lunch bag, Brian Jungen, it certainly felt like I'd hit the jackpot.

The M-K Expeditions are led by conservationist Wayne Sawchuk, and his treks are guaranteed to be rich in adventure and natural beauty.

Another sweet Sweetwater905 took place this weekend. The art was amazing, the poetry energizing (Prince George poets Graham Pearce, A. Warren Johnson, Matt Partyka were so much fun), the music rocked and Michael Turner, emcee, dapper dresser, and writer whose words are as precise as they are powerful, kept it all together. Another wonderful weekend immersed in the arts. To see great photos click here and here.

Shown here, Michael Turner giving a reading on the ckua stage.

Wow. Great readings and great crowd. Thank you to all of the poets: Marilyn Belak, Ruth Hill, Sabrina L'Heureux, Jeannie Lindgren, Jayden Stafford, Christy Jordan-Fenton, Rebekah Rempel, Dean Velkjar, Dean Mattson, and Dawn Service.

And thank you to BC Arts and Culture Week, the Sweetwater905 committee and the Mattsons for their generous support.

The students from the Creative Writing class at Northern Lights College gathered for a literary salon at our house to read from the pieces they worked on during the term. The readings were terrific, the writing fabulous, and the large crowd that came out to hear them attentive and generous as always.

Thank you everyone for making this term such a great experience.

Shown here is student Cassidy Brown, reading from her work.

A literary salon featuring readings by the students in the Creative Writing 210 class (short fiction) will take place at my house Thursday, March 29th, at 7 pm.

This is a great opportunity to hear marvelous writing and to find out more about the creative writing courses offered at Northern Lights College, and to experience a Rollolian literary salon!

The reading is open to the public (email me at dkane@nlc.bc.ca if you need directions to my house) and everyone is encouraged to attend!

Don McKay's The Shell of the Tortoise: Four Essays and an Assemblage, the assemblage beingThe Muskwa Assemblage, which Don wrote from his 2006 experience at the Muskwa Kechika Artist Camps, has won the 2011 BMO Winterset Award, a $10,000 prize presented annually to celebrate excellence in writing in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Congratulations Don!

After Ruth's reading, prosecco and enlivening conversation ensued.

Shown here (l-r) Ruth Hill, Marilyn Belak (sporting the prosecco), Ruth Roach Pierson, Lurind Jeaneaux and Dean Velkjar

Thank you to all who came out to the reading. As Ruth said, "What a concentration of wonderful and wonderfully artistic people!!!"

Toronto writer and reader Ruth Roach Pierson gave a riveting reading to a responsive and thoughtful crowd.

I held my first literary salon at my house and what a great time it was! Lots of people came (thank you everyone!), Ruth Roach Pierson's reading was stupendous, and the prosecco was delicious!

Shown here is me and Ruth Roach Pierson before the reading began, beside the lectern that Wayne made - thanks Wayne!

Ruth Roach Pierson, an award-winning poet and former professor at the University of Toronto, will be giving two readings in March.

The first reading will be a literary salon at my place, Wednesday March 14 at 7 pm. Let me know if you need directions (email me at dkane@pris.ca). The salon will include a reading as well as a discussion on writing. Everyone is welcome and there will be food and prosecco!

The second reading will take place Thursday March 15 at the Dawson Creek Campus of Northern Lights College in Room 115 of the Health Sciences Building (with video-conferencing available at the Fort St. John campus, ITC Building room 115). The reading will begin at 7 pm. The reading is part of the Creativing Writing 210 class that I am teaching but everyone, student or not, is welcome to attend!

Support for these readings has been gratefully provided by the League of Canadian Poets.

Friday February 24th was Albert's Loft's "Cabin Fever" open mic. The place was packed and rocking. One of the highlights was the Dodge City Rockets, shown here, conjuring some amazing dance moves by Marilyn Belak and Barry Steeves.

Thank you to the Mattsons for providing this venue as a Sweetwater905 mini-event. And don't forget, the Sweetwater905 festival takes place this year June 15, 16, 17th.

The next mini-Sweetwater905 event will take place Friday March 30 at 7:00 PM. This "Bonfire of the Vanities" will include an open mic and, well, a bonfire.

A great holiday season has come and gone, I'm missing my kids. Tomorrow back to work, but 2012 promises exciting festivals, readings, weddings, hopefully a few more website postings than I've done in recent months, and at least a few new poems (I do have three forthcoming in The Fiddlehead).

My daughter and I this Christmas.

Today is Emilie's birthday. I met Emilie 14 years ago, when she turned 50. She showed me then how she could stand on her hands and, as evidenced today, she's still at it!

Had a great time at the Twisted Words Reading in Prince George. A big thanks to Adrienne Fitzpatrick and Brenda Koller for arranging such a successful event.

A bonus to the night was catching up with old friends Barry McKinnon and Clea Roberts. What fun!

The UNBC English Department is hosting a literary reading September 24th. I'm looking forward to it.

Another fabulous Sweetwater 905 has come and gone.

Several writers who read at the festival also took part in the 905 event at the Rolla Pub.

l-r Back Row: Peter Culley, Pamela Den Ouden, Marilyn Belak, GP Lainsbury, Josh Massey Front Row: Lee Kvern, Donna Kane, Jennifer Londry, Christy Jordan, Rebekah Rempal

A special Sweetwater 905 event will take place at the Rolla Pub on Saturday September 3 from 11 am - 2 pm. A great chance to hear some flash readings by some of the writers who will be performing in Albert's Loft and on the Main Stage of Sweetwater 905 throughout the festival weekend.

Along with special guests Peter Culley, Lee Kvern, and Jennifer Londry, you will also hear the words of local poets such as Marilyn Belak, GP Lainsbury, Rebekah Rempel and more!

Holy heck, where did the summer go? Good news is we have Sweetwater 905 to ring in the fall. The festival takes place September 2-4, 2011 at the Mattson ranch.

A big thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for supporting festival readers Peter Culley, Lee Kvern, and Jennifer Londry.

Local writers also performing include Marilyn Belak, Pamela Den Ouden, Christy Jordan-Fenton, G.P. Lainsbury, Dean Mattson, Rebekah Rempel, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Dawn Service, and Linda Studley.

You can read about all of the writers here.

A few lines from my poem, "Summer Solstice," written one night when my daughter and I painted solstice chairs while waiting for Emilie and crew to arrive on their annual solstice ride, the poem originally published in The Walrus, was broadcast on Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac on his June 21st show. You can read about it or listen to the podcast here.

Shown here, a brace of one of the painted chairs.

June 22nd is the start date of this year's Muskwa-Kechika Expeditions with guide Wayne Sawchuk. Once again, a number of artists will take part in these trips, including Penny Birnam and Peter von Tiesenhausen,. Other artist alumni taking part in the send-off preparations include Brian Jungen, shown here soaping saddles with Tamara Sunchild and Wayne Sawchuk.

Only a few days left at the Banff Centre, but I am thrilled with the work I've been able to get done while here. The faculty, the participants, and the hiking trails have been amazing. I was also fortunate to get in a few visits with my childhood friends, Ian Grant and Karen Ralph, who live in Calgary. I got to go to one of Ian's Remones performances (mosh pit - yes!) and to sit for a painting that is part of a portrait series that Karen is doing.

Karen and I, seen here, in the Banff Centre's Maclab Bistro.

I made it. A bit late, but here I am. Until the end of May. A room looking southeast at Mount Rundle and the Sundance Range, housekeeping, great food, friendly fellow writers. Huge thanks to this tremendous place. You can check it out at Banff Writing Studio.

On Thursday, April 7th from 6-9 pm, you are invited to the CRWR 209 class to hear the students read from their marvelous work. This is a great opportunity to see what a creative writing class is like and to help celebrate the work that has been done over the term. We hope to see you there!

Via videoconference:
Dawson Creek Campus - Room 115, Health Sciences Building
Fort St. John Campus - Room 2-115, Industry Training Centre
Chetwynd Campus - Room 100

It's true. Dave and Ellen Corea are leaving town to be closer to their children. Ellen has been an essential part of the arts and culture scene in this town for many, many years. As curator of the Dawson Creek Art Gallery she has been a major support of nearly every literary reading I've hosted. And Dave's contribution to our dance music has provided the seed to many a late night two-step. Fortunately, the Sweetwater 905 bus is available for trips to Lacombe. They won't be seeing the last of us!

Seen here at Dave and Ellen's going away party (l-r) Faith Rudyk-Kruk, me, Marilyn Belak, Emilie Mattson, Ellen Corea, and Barbara Swail.

Thank you to Emilie and all my other wonderful friends for surprising me with a birthday party. May the dancing never end!

Holy Hollis!

On February 22nd, as part of the ongoing Spirit Dawson Creek events, Wayne Sawchuk and I presented "Land of Connections." Using Wayne's photographs, my poetry, and music by Karl and Inge-Jean Mattson, we celebrated metaphor and the connections inherent in how we see the world.

Another fabulous reading at the Alaska Cafe with local poets and music by the Mattson gang and Folky Strum Strum. What a joyous crowd! How lucky we are.

Local poets who read included (l-r) back row: Rebekah Rempel, Ruth Hill, Donna Kane, Charles Kux-Kardos / front row: Marilyn Belak, Jeannie Lindgren, Linda Studley, Sabrina L'Heureaux

Friday, February 4th was the official kick-off to Spirit BC, a month-long celebration of arts and culture in Dawson Creek. Lorna Crozier and Andrew Ho entertained a packed Alaska Cafe as part of the kick-off events. The crowd was bursting with energy, and, yes, spirit! It was wonderful to be back in the Alaska Cafe with such a great bunch of people . A really magical night.

Andrew Ho accompanies Lorna as she reads her poems about snow and the sex life of vegetables. It was sens[ual]ational!

It was great to see so many people at the reading catching up on news and friendship.

Shown here is my Mom and Don Cameron, who both worked at the College and partied together in years past. Some things don't change.

What a great treat to hear Lorna read poems about snow, onions, and carrots to the musical accompaniment of Andrew Ho, a collaborative performance that won't soon be forgotten.

Lorna gave a wonderful and inspiring reading to the CRWR 209 class in Dawson Creek. Thanks to technology, the students and the public were able to attend Lorna's reading from the Fort St. John and Chetwynd campuses as well, via videoconference.

After Lorna's reading, we paid a visit to the Rolla Pub. Lorna has made so many friends in the Peace and Patti, proprietor of the pub, is one of them.

Back Row (l-r) Me, Matthew Chorney, Patti Martin Front Row (l-r) Rebecca Chorney, Lorna Crozier

Peace River fans will be glad to hear that Lorna Crozier is returning for a visit. Reading from her latest poetry as well as from her new memoir, Small Beneath the Sky, Lorna will be reading in my CRWR 209 class on Thursday February 3rd at 7pm and at the Alaska Cafe Friday February 4th at 8 pm as part of the kick-off to Spirit Dawson Creek. At Friday's reading, Lorna will be joined by the very talented musician Andrew Ho and friends.

Admission is free to both events and everyone is encouraged to attend!

I've heard Brian Jungen say that the idea is the easy part. When you get a close look at the engineering involved to create a piece like Cetology, a 61.54 x 1260.40 x 168.66 cm assemblage of plastic lawn chairs transformed into a whale skeleton, you can kind of see his point, though to have come up with the idea in the first place is nothing short of brilliant too.

Here we are just after the key note addresses and before heading upstairs to see the show.

And then it was opening time - and when the elevator doors opened to the main gallery and the hundreds of people in attendance, it really was an exciting moment for those of us who hadn't attended this kind of opening before (i.e. me).

We arrived into Edmonton just in time to change and take up Brian Jungen's generous invite to a pre-opening dinner. It was great to meet his crew.

We made it. And now here we are off to the opening.

Shown here (l-r) Dean Mattson, Hollis Mattson, Emilie Mattson, Wayne Sawchuk, and Karl Mattson

Friday morning we loaded up the Sweetwater 905 bus (courtesy of the Mattsons) and headed to Edmonton for the opening of Brian Jungen's show at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Our desire to see the show kept us going through some pretty crazy winter weather!

Shown here (l-r) Wayne Sawchuk, Dean Mattson, and Karl Mattson changing windshield wipers in Grande Prairie.

Check out this website, which highlights a number of people in the Peace, including Wayne Sawchuk, Emilie Mattson, Theresa Gladue and more!

BC People

Today I received my official acceptance letter from UBC's MFA program. I'm pretty excited! I also plan on heading back to Banff in May for the five-week Writing Studio - now that's exciting too!

You can read about the UBC program here and the Banff Writing Studio here.

On our way to the reading at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, Caroline stopped to have her picture taken at Roy Forbes Drive. Caroline showed she still possessed the Peace Country spirit - the snow and cold didn't seem to bother her a bit!

A huge thanks to poet and City Councillor Marilyn Belak for hosting a wonderful after-reading party for Caroline Woodward.

No one seemed more delighted than Caroline Woodward to have the Potluck in the Basement Singers perform before and after Caroline's reading. Thank you to Judi and the rest of the singers for making the evening extra special!

Caroline Woodward's whirlwind tour made a stop at the CRWR 209 class in Fort St. John. The reading, which was open to the public, saw community members and students in Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson campuses attending as well, via videoconference. The event was covered by CJDC TV.

You can see the result on youtube .

Thanks to Jenny and the Dawson Creek Public Library for hosting Share the Word, an event where local writers had an opportunity to discuss ideas on writing and publishing. I was there, as was my sister, humor columnist Shannon McKinnon, and photographer and conservationist Wayne Sawchuk.

A party in Albert's Loft to celebrate Halloween - hope everyone has a great one!

Another Sweetwater 905 has come to a close and what a party it was! Music, poetry, visual art, butter churning, and a whole lot more. For northern BC women poets, one of the highlights was the launch of "Unfurled," published by Caitlin Press. Many thanks to publisher Vici Johnstone and editor Debbie Keahey for producing this beautiful book!

Seen here after the launch of "Unfurled" are a few of the writers who read during the weekend: Paul Burgoyne, Donna Kane, Jacqueline Hoekstra, Pamela den Ouden, Marilyn Belak (on Poke), Rebekah Rempel (with copy of "Unfurled"), Sabrina L'Heureux, and Sarah Burgoyne.

Sarah Burgoyne wowed the crowds at Sweetwater 905. To check out her breathtaking work, click here.

Sarah in the Green Room at Sweetwater 905.

Paul Burgoyne, Sarah's father, showed us that writing runs in the family. Paul read a delightful food-obsessed story at Sweetwater 905, one that had some of us rushing to buy a hamburger shortly after he left the stage!

Paul Burgoyne and unknown cowboy wait in the Green Room at Sweetwater 905.

While my daughter Megan was home my family spent one magical day together at the Kiskatinaw River at the spot where we all grew up. Megan and I each found our best ammonites ever, a delightful moment for us given the many years we've spent immersed in this pastime.

Megan with my Dad.

While we were a week or two late for the actual marathon, Megan and I spent a really wonderful day hiking the route of Tumbler Ridge's annual half marathon. Next year!

This summer Patti at the Rolla Pub invented the "905" and the "M-K Slinger." The ingredients to both are a Rolla Pub secret, but I do know the M-K Slinger has coffee, club soda, and something to make the drink look like mountain fresh water. Next time you visit the Rolla Pub, be sure to order one.

I will be teaching Creative Writing 209 in January at Northern Lights College. The course will be by videoconference and available on the Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson campuses. Classes will be Thursday evenings from 6-9 pm.

If you are interested in learning some forms and techniques of poetry and fiction, sharing your work with others, and having a lot of fun writing, I hope you will sign up.

Registration is now taking place at your nearest Northern Lights College campus.

Caitlin Press has published an anthology of poetry by northern BC women. Edited by Debbie Keahey, the book includes work from five local poets. On Saturday September 4th, Writing on the Ridge will be hosting a launch of this book in partnership with Sweetwater 905. Many of the authors, from near and far, will be reading from their work.

The winners of the annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Contest were announced yesterday and I won third. I'm very excited about that. You can read all of the stories here.

The solstice tradition for many years in Rolla has been riding with Emilie and her horses around the community. One stop this year (well, okay, every year) was the Rolla Pub. Not everyone rode, but everyone celebrated!

And here's a picture of the inside of the shed.

Here's the view from the writing shed window.

Yesterday we put in a big window in what used to be a garden shed, which used to be a chicken coop. In "The Al Purdy A-Frame Anthology," edited by Paul Vermeersch and published by Harbour Publishing, Al's wife, Eurithe, tells about a building that Al Purdy used as his private writing space. It too had once been a chicken coop. My shed fits a couch, a desk and a chair, barely. It has a tremendous view out the window (which I'll have to add a picture of asap so you can see it). My hope is writing friends will come and use it.

On May 28th, Northern Lights College received a great honor when internationally acclaimed artist Brian Jungen accepted their 2010 Honorary Degree.

After the conferring of the degree, artists, admirers, and friends from across the Peace gathered at our house for a celebratory party where great conversation and dancing was had.

Seen here enjoying food and conversation are (l-r) Mary Mottishaw, Kit Fast, Peter von Tiesenhausen, Brian Jungen, Rosaleen Boardman, Barbara Swail, Teresa von Tiesenhausen, Jennifer Bowes, and Marilyn Belak.

The highlight of the evening was a thoroughly mesmorizing presentation given by Brian Jungen on his work.

You could have heard a pin drop.

A glimpse of the unusually quiet crowd listening to Brian talk about his work.

For three glorious weeks I have rented a place in Halifax so that I can spend time with my kids and do some writing and reading.

(l-r) me with Megan, who lives in Halifax and is entering grad school at Dalhousie this fall, Jason, who fractured his ankle rock climbing so unable to work, so came with me from his home in Vancouver, and Ryan, Megan's boyfriend, also a student at Dalhousie, together at comedy night at Beary's. Not pictured is Emma Cooper, great comic, friend of Megan and Ryan's, and fellow eater of stinky cheese.

I'm on the longlist for the 2009 Geist Postcard Story Contest. You can read all the entries by clicking here.

The spring issue of The Malahat Review is out. It's a special issue that pays tribute to Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane. I've written an article in there about Lorna and Patrick's visits to the Peace.

Well, guess what. In February we embarked on major, and I mean major, renovations to the interior of our house, replacing flooring, redoing the upstairs bathroom and repainting and remoulding every square inch of the house. During that process, we discovered an attic room whose entrance had been walled over. A room of my own! A place to write. This, then, became our unexpected final project. This is what the room looked like when we first cut a hole in our bedroom wall to access it.

And this is what the hole looked like after we put the door in - oh my god, a door into a room of my own!

And here is the room with my desk and chair and lamp ... .

Monday, April 26th was the official opening of my writing room, attended by Marilyn Belak and Emilie Mattson. So this is it. Great friends and my own place to write. What gifts.

Thanks to Angela Fehr for featuring me in her biweekly Artist of the Peace column in Northeast News. You can view the archived article by clicking here.

A group photo of the M-K Artist Camp participants for 2009.

Another memorable artist camp took place August 1-8th, chock full of moons, northern lights, and a whole lot of creativity. Check out the following youtube videos:

Elizabeth Bachinsky singing on the alpine.
Elizabeth Bachinsky sings and Sue Sinclair dances.
Farewell to M-K Artist Camp (Marilyn Belak on flute, Pauline Freed and Sharon Gaunt on paddles.

If you're interested in seeing some photos of this year's artist camp, check out this flikr site.

Great fun was had running the torch aka bullrushes from the Rolla Pub to Albert's Loft, site of September's Sweetwater 905. The event served as a welcome to this year's M-K Artist Camp participants and a kick-off to the countdown to Sweetwater 905 (being held September 4-6, 2009). Following the torch lighting was a fantastic poetry reading and music including much dancing to the music of Bernie Steward and Steven Strasky.

The highlight of my summer so far was a road trip with two of my favorite people in the world - Jennifer Londry and Jeanette Lynes. What fun we had! Not to mention much creative imagining, ie stay tuned for the Skank Journals.

Jennifer Londry launched her book Life and Death in Cheap Motels, written in collaboration with R.D. Roy, at Hot Sauced Words in Toronto July 16th. The performance was terrific and the book tragic, humorous, and altogether original.

Shown here is Jennifer Londry reading from her book at Hot Sauced Words.

After Jennifer and R.D.'s reading, we visited at the Black Swan Tavern.

Shown here l-r Holly Luhning, Jeanette Lynes, and me.

After readings in Kingston, several of us met for drinks and dancing.

l-r Robert May, Jeanette Lynes, Erin Foley, me, Jennifer Londry, Roger Dorey

Poetry Reading and Torch Relay Thursday July 30, 2009

If you are interested in the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camps, or if you are looking forward to Sweetwater 905, or if you have ever entered a lottery to carry an Olympic torch and were not selected, we have the event for you.

On July 30th, a welcome reception for this year's participants of the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp will be held in conjunction with a torch lighting ceremony to mark the countdown to Sweewater 905, a multi-disciplinary festival being held this fall at the Mattson ranch.

The July 30th event will begin at 6:30 pm at the Rolla Pub.

Organizers of the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp and Sweetwater 905 will be on hand to award Sweetwater 905 decals to the first 27 people who present them with their t-shirt and $5. Decals will be applied to the t-shirts on-site and will give the owners of the t-shirts the opportunity to take part in the torch relay which will begin at 7:30 pm and will follow Sweetwater Road from the Rolla Pub to Albert's Loft (approximately one mile or 27 telephone poles in distance). Once the torch has reached Albert's Loft, the main flame will be lit and the countdown to Sweetwater 905 will begin. The flame lighting will be followed by a poetry reading in Albert's Loft featuring poets attending this year's Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp. The poetry reading will be followed by the music of Cockshutt and other guests, including orginal music by Bernie Steward.

Admission to all of the events on July 30th are free and everyone is encouraged to come out and support Dawson Creek's diverse and dynamic arts scene!

For a full listing of the poets reading on July 30th, read on.

This event is sponsored by Writing on the Ridge and Sweetwater 905.

Elizabeth Bachinsky is the author of three collections of poetry - Curio (BookThug, 2005), Home of Sudden Service (Nightwood, 2006), and God of Missed Connections (Nightwood, 2009). Her work has been nominated for the Governor General's Award for Poetry in 2006 and the Bronwen Wallace Award in 2004 and has appeared in literary journals, anthologies, and on film in Canada, the United States, France, Ireland, England, and China. She is an instructor of creative writing at Douglas College in New Westminster where she is Poetry Editor for Event magazine.

City Councillor in Dawson Creek, Registered Nurse and mother of two magnificent children who are grown and flown, Marilyn Belak is published in Canadian literary journals, has produced chap books and is working on a poetry manuscript. In 2008 she participated in the “Written in Stone” project which created a Renga along the walking trail in Dawson Creek. Winter 09 she participated in an online Fiction Course given by M-K alumna, Sheila Peters of Creekstone Press.

Donna Kane has published two books of poetry, Somewhere, a Fire and Erratic, both with Hagios Press. Her work has been included in anthologies and journals across Canada. She is currently completing a degree at UVic and while in Victoria helps with the Open Word reading series and is on the editorial board of The Malahat Review.

Sarah Burgoyne is from Langley, BC, and picked up a passion for writing at a very young age when she began writing a long and complicated fantasy novel punctuated by riddle-poems the characters had to decipher. Among other things, Sarah loves to paint, play music, write poetry, and be outside. She is currently entering the fourth year of the Creative Writing program at the University of Victoria studying poetry and English literature.

Rebekah Rempel grew up near Dawson Creek, B.C., and now lives in Rolla with her husband. She has fourth-year status in the University of Victoria’s Writing Department and plans to obtain her BA with a major in poetry.

Sue Sinclair has written four books of poetry and her work has been nominated for awards including the Gerald Lampert and Pat Lowther Awards and the Atlantic Book Prize for Poetry. Her most recent book, Breaker, was published in 2008 by Brick Books. She is currently completing her PhD in Philosophy at the University of Toronto.

Gillian Wigmore grew up in Vanderhoof, BC, graduated from the University of Victoria in 1999, and currently lives in Prince George. Her book, Soft Geography, was shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize and won the Relit Award.

Jennifer Londry published her first book in June 2009, a poetry collaboration with R. D. Roy titled Life & Death in Cheap Motels. An exploration of the cheap motel as "both a place and a state of mind," the collection has been compared to a "gut-punch guided tour through all the 3 a.m. gritty neighbourhoods of the soul." She recently completed a second collection, 32 Days of Summer, an odyssey through the mystery of Alzheimer's disease. She is currently at work on a memoir, The Black & White Brides of Christ, about growing up Catholic among aunts who, she says, are a cross between Kathy Bates in Misery and Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. You can visit her at www.youtube.com at Life and Death in Cheap Motels. Jennifer lives in Kingston, ON.

Plans are now underway for the 2009 M-K Artist Camp. This year, on July 30th, artists will be participating in a welcome reception and kick-off count down to the Sweetwater 905 before heading up to the week long camp. Some of the participants will also be participating in readings along the Alaska Highway. Check back for more news on all of the events leading up to and including the camp.

Click here to see who is attending this year's camp.

While at the Writer's Union of Canada AGM in Calgary, many of us attended the Alberta Writer's Guild Literary Awards Gala. A great time with friends old and new.

(l-r) Back row: Leona Theis, Karen McLaughlin, Merilyn Simonds, me. Front row: Sid Marty, Jeanette Lynes, fiction writer from Calgary, Ian LeTourneau.

Had a great time at the Writer's Union of Canada AGM in Calgary May 22-24, 2009.

Pictured here are two of the highlights of my trip - seeing friends Fred Stenson and Jeanette Lynes again.

Those who stayed on an extra day after the M-K Art Show opening found themselves roped into soaping saddles in preparation for this year's artist camp and expeditions.

Victoria philanthropist and writer Paddy Stewart, Saskatoon poet Laura Edna Lacey, and Rolla sculptor Emilie Mattson.

The M-K Art Show opening was a great success. The artwork is nothing short of fabulous. The show will be on display at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery until June 7, 2009. Work ranges from sculptures, video art, paintings, writing, beadwork, and moccasins. A real testament to the inspiration that comes from experiencing the Muskwa-Kechika!

Chetwynd video artist and 2008 M-K Artist Camp participant Cherie Valentina Stocken discusses her work with Al and Mary Mottishaw.

Some of us gathered at our house after the opening to visit and dance.

(l-r) Jacqueline Hoekstra, Gibsons BC poet and 2008 M-K Artist Camp participant, Sherry Coffey, Athabasca, Alberta writer and organizer of the Athabasca University repository of M-K Artwork and a 2008 Artist Camp participant, Donna Kane, Marilyn Belak, upcoming M-K Artist Camp participant and Kit Fast, Dawson Creek artist and 2008 Artist Camp participant.

Seen here (in front of some of Cranbrook artist Ann Jones's work) are some of the 2007 Artist Camp participants who were in attendance at the opening. (l-r) Ann Jones, Saskatoon poet Laura Lacey, Donna Kane, and Rosaleen and Angharad Ward from Hudson's Hope. 2007 participants Kristen Auger and Adrienne Greyeyes (from Fort St. John) were also in attendance but unfortunately left before we were able to take this shot.

A good crowd turned out to view the artwork at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery at its opening May 12th. Audience members enjoyed the artwork as well as a welcome address from Ellen Corea, curator of the Dawson Creek Art Gallery and by Marilyn Belak, Dawson Creek city councillor. We also had the pleasure of hearing poetry readings by Sherry Coffey, Jacqueline Hoekstra, and Laura Edna Lacey, and a lively account of life on the trail by Paddy Stewart.

The show was made possible through the support of the BC Arts Council, the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, and Writing on the Ridge. The show runs until June 7, 2009.

Donna Kane acknowledging supporters and introducing the artists in attendance.

M-K Artist Camp participant Barbara Swail takes a bird's eye view of the artwork. All of the artwork at the show will soon be available for viewing at the Athabasca University Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp Collection.

The M-K Artist Camp exhibit was hung at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery Monday, May 11th - and throughout the day artists from out of town began to arrive for the big opening May 12th. After hanging the show, some of us relaxed at the Rolla Pub.

Back Row (l-r) Wayne Sawchuk, Donna Kane, proprietor Patti Martin
Front Row (l-r) Jacqueline Hoekstra (Gibsons, BC), Paddy Stewart (Victoria, BC), Elaine (Okanagon Falls, BC), Anne Jones (Cranbrook, BC)

On Saturday May 2, The Dawson Creek Public Library hosted a dynamic reading by spoken word poet Barbara Adler and CBC's Betsy Trumpener (whose new book of short fiction, The Butcher of Penetang, was recently published by Caitlin Press).

Later, Betsy and Barbara checked out the Rolla Pub.

L-R Kit Fast, Wayne Sawchuk, Donna Kane, Betsy Trumpener, and Barbara Adler

It's great to be back in Rolla for the summer, and I was so glad to get back in time to hear Betsy Trumpener and Barbara Adler read at the public library, and later to have a chance to visit with friends at the Rolla Pub.

L-R Patti Marten, Donna Kane, Betsy Trumpener, Barbara Adler

The Muskwa-Kechika Art Show, taking place at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery May 12th - June 7, 2009 will feature artwork by the 2007 and 2008 M-K Artists as well as by artists who participated in the M-K Expeditions in 2007 and 2008. From poetry by Sheila Peters to visual art and music by Garry Oker to a sculpture by Brian Jungen, this is one show you won't want to miss!

Shown here, a detail of one of the paintings that will be on display - "The Darkness is Lifted in the Muskwa-Kechika" (oil on wood by 2007 M-K Expedition artist Deryk Houston).

A huge thanks to all my friends who threw a surprise birthday party for me. Seen here is the traditional birthday pyramid (thanks also goes to those who helped me reach the top without toppling the rest!).

Here is a picture of everyone at my birthday party (missing from photo: Johanna Bush and Rosaleen Ward). Later, we rolled up the rug and danced and danced to Dave's dancing CD. How lucky I am to have such great friends!

In 2008, Writing on the Ridge established a partnership with Athabasca University to develop an online repository of each year's artwork. A big thank you to Sherry Coffey, Repository Network & Content Specialist and 2008 Artist Camp Alumni, for spearheading this project. You can now view the artwork by clicking here .

Mother Tongue Publishing has recently published a beautiful anthology of BC Poetry, titled Rocksalt.

The Victoria launch was held on Saturday, November 15th, and as I am down here for school, I was able to attend and read my poem that has been included in the book.

While I may be the only poet in the book who can boast being from Rolla (which is shown on a map included in the anthology), there are a few other contributors who have been to the Rolla pub after giving readings at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery. They include Patrick Friesen, Catherine Greenwood and Sheila Peters.

Don Denton, literary photographer, was on hand and took the photo you see here.

The third M-K Artist Camp held August 7-14, 2008 brought another year of inspired ideas, wilderness trekking, chopping wood, campfire chats and great companionship.

To see some of Kit Fast's photography, click here.

To see Jacqueline Hoekstra's photos on youtube and her tribute to Paint, click here.

Shown here is the group in the alpine, keeping warm by the fire!

Gaspereau Press will be publishing Don McKay's book of poems and essays inspired from his trip to the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp in 2006. For information on or to buy this beautiful one-of-a-kind book, click here.

One of the poems, "Song for the Song of the Loon" is also available on audio file in Don's new CD published by Rattling Books.

Bios of the 2008 M-K Artist Camp participants are now being added to the M-K Artist Camp page. To see who will be expressing themselves in the wilderness this year, click here!

Thanks to Jenny and the Friends of the Library for having me facilitate a weekend writing workshop. What a fun and talented group of writers!

Shown here is the bunch of us. (l-r) Back Row: Tom Benoit, Peg Benoit, Florence Anderson, Julie Milliken, Barbara Glasier, Barbara Swail, Tracy McKenzie Front Row: Jane Parsons, Theresa Gladue, Lisa Irvine, me

Today I visited some Grade 11 and 12 students in a writing class at South Peace Secondary School. As always, I enjoyed it a lot and hope the students did too. I wanted a picture of all of us outside on the sidewalk where students have been chalking up poems, but we would have had to have photo release waivers so I could only take a picture of the sidewalk, shown here. Click on it to see a bigger chunk.

Dymphny Dronyk was the brainchild behind the League of Canadian Poet's Western Swing, a cross border exchange of Albertan, Saskatchewan and BC poets. One of the readings took place on April 29th at the wonderful Rabbit Hole Bookstore in Grande Prairie and included readings by Dymphny Dronyk, Alexis Kienlan, rob mclennan, Jenna Butler, and a few of us from Dawson Creek: Marilyn Belak, Rebekah Rempel, and me, shown here.

Thanks to a kind invite from Victoria's Poet Laureate Carla Funk, I will be reading with Carla at The Pacific Festival of the Book on March 15th.

Photo: Victoria's Poet Laureate, Carla Funk

On Saturday March 1 (after a bit of searching for Cormorant Street...), we were lucky enough to take in M-K Artist Camp alumni Dorothy Field's opening of her wonderful new show "What the Body Knows." Her exquisite work tells stories that are both imaginative and moving, The show will be on display at the Martin Batchelor Gallery in Victoria, BC until April 3.

Seen here is Dorothy Field with one of her pieces created from the 2006 M-K Artist Camp exhibit (just one of the many fabulous pieces on display) along with Wayne Sawchuk, host and guide for the M-K Artist and Naturalist Camps.

Residing in BC's capital for a few months has given me the opportunity to take in many poetry readings. The week of February 4th brought no less than four poetry readings, one in which I read at along with Steve Price. That reading took place February 8th at the Black Stilt Coffee House.

The week was topped off by a visit from Hudson's Hope's Rosaleen Ward and a cultural pub crawl, where we managed to find a place that was nearly as much fun as the Rolla Pub!

Photo: Rosaleen Ward and me at Big Bad John's.

The inaugural issue of "Lake: a journal of arts and environment" is now out and features the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camps.

For more information, visit Lake

On December 15th, a housewarming party at our new place in Rolla generated the creation of two music videos which can be viewed on youtube!

To hear all of us sing "Jingle Bells" click here (special thanks to Bill Studley for leading us in this).

To hear Dean Mattson sing "Wayfaring Stranger" click here.

On Saturday December 1st, a few M-K Artist Camp participants and friends gathered for a visit. Seen here is 2006 Artist Camp participant Deryk Houston going above and beyond by helping us hang one of his paintings on our wall.

Photo: Hands-on help in hanging the painting provided by (l-r) Wayne Sawchuk, Deryk Houston, and Marilyn Belak

Hands-off help with the hanging of Deryk's painting was provided by (l-r) 2007 Artist Camp participant Brian Jungen, Rollolian Larry Kunz, artist and musician Dean Mattson, 2006 Artist Camp participant Barbara Swail, and photographer Kit Fast.

After-hanging refreshments were enjoyed at the Rolla Pub. Seen here are some of us with proprietor Patti Martin.

Seen here at the Rolla Pub enjoying a lively conversation on art are (l-r) 2006 Artist Camp participant Emilie Mattson, artist and musician Dean Mattson, and 2007 Artist Camp participant Brian Jungen.

The current issue (Vol. 21 No. 4 Winter 2007-2008) of BC Bookworld features "writers who are outside the urban bubble". To read my essay in this issue, you can pick up a copy of BC Bookworld at your local library or read it online at ABC Bookworld.

On November 13th I read in Vancouver along with Ruth Roach Pierson and George Sipos at the Robson Square Reading Series, hosted by the wonderful poet, Liz Bachinsky.

It was great to see old friends and to make a few new ones.

Seen here after the reading and before being turfed (or at least it seemed so) from the lovely Sylvia Hotel bar are (l-r) Sally, Ryan MacLeod, Bridget and George Sipos, Kyle, Blake, Liz Bachinsky, Ruth Roach Pierson, me, and Jacqueline Hoekstra.

It was great to be back with friends Jeanette Lynes and Ruth Roach Pierson.

Photo: me, Jeanette, Ruth

On October 23, Ruth Roach Pierson and I read at the Economy Shoe Shop in Halifax. Thanks to David Rimmington for hosting the event.

Photo: (l-r) Shown here after the reading are me, poets Brian Bartlett, David Rimmington, Ruth Roach Pierson, and Sue McLeod)

Poet extraordinaire Jeanette Lynes hosted a reading for Ruth Roach Pierson and I in her classroom at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Photo: me reading to Jeanette's class at St. Francis Xavier

A wonderful time was had in Bonners Ferry with generous hosts Jerry and Ingrid Pavia. Thanks also to John at Bonners Books (one of the best used bookstores I've ever visited!) who hosted the reading which included a reading by Ingrid Pavia and a slide presentation by Wayne Sawchuk.

Photo: Ingrid Pavia reading her poetry at Bonners Books.

Along with fellow Hagios author Michael Trussler and Hagios co-publisher Paul Wilson whose new book Turning Mountain has just been published by Wolsak and Wynn, I had the pleasure of reading in Regina and Saskatoon from my new book.

Shown here at the Bessborough Hotel after the Saskatoon launch are (l-r) poets Jeff Park, Michael Trussler, Holly Luhning, writer and Hagios co-publisher Don Ward, Paul Wilson, artist and photographer Amy Snider, and me.

On Friday, September 7th, I launched my new book at Sweetwater 905, a weekend of music, visual art, and poetry. My reading took place in a granary where Karl Mattson's art installation "Industrial Evolution" was displayed. Not only was it a thought-provoking art piece but I think I may hold some kind of distinction for launching my book beside a two-headed calf.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of it. Shown here instead is me reading an opening poem for the weekend from the loft of the Mattson barn. If you'd like to read my opening poem, it's currently the Feature Poem on my home page.

My new book of poetry, titled Erratic, was published by Hagios Press in September.

Shown here is the cover of my book. Cover art - Peter von Tiesenhausen's "Ship"

Below is a schedule of upcoming book launches:

February 8, 2008
Planet Earth Poetry at Black Stilt, Victoria, BC
(Reading with Steve Price)

November 13th
Robson Square Library, Vancouver, BC
(Reading with Ruth Roach Pierson and George Sipos)

October 23rd
The Economy Shoe Shop, Halifax, NS
(Reading with Ruth Roach Pierson)

October 22nd
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS
(Reading with Ruth Roach Pierson)

October 18th
Bonners Ferry, Idaho

September 26th
The Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Saskatoon, SK
(Reading with Michael Trussler and Paul Wilson)

September 25th
The Exchange, Regina, SK
(Reading with Michael Trussler and Paul Wilson)

September 7th
Sweetwater 905, Rolla, BC

For the second time this summer, Rollolians took part in a progressive art/sauna/leg wrestling/walking tour. Special guests at this event included my son and daughter and freelance writer/reporter for the Vancouver Sun (and a seasoned leg wrestler in his own right), Larry Pynn.

This year, in addition to our M-K Artist Camp, a Naturalist Camp was also held. The Camp took place from August 4-11th amd brought together an impressive group of naturalists led by Ben Gadd whose book Handbook of the Canadian Rockies is the one book you should never be without while in (or out of, for that matter) the Canadian Rockies!

Some notable events of the naturalist camp (and there too many to mention!) were a trip into the alpine, a mountain hike to an erratic containing archaeocyath fossils, Ben's seasonal ecology sessions, and plotting a burn site to monitor vegetation.

Photo of Naturalist Group: Back Row (l-r) Ben Gadd, Bev Ramey, Sandra Hepburn, Cathy Koot, Michael Boronowski. Front Row (l-r) Bill Ramey, Kathy Iselmoe, Donna Kane, Meredith Thornton, Wayne Sawchuk, and Chancey the dog. (Photo courtesy of Michael Boronowski)

Imagine waking to a drum song, riding horses into the alpine, hiking up mountains, and enjoying great conversations about art, wilderness and life while sitting around an open campfire. These are just a few examples of what took place July 28th - August 4th when 12 artists from across the country came to the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.

See below for more pictures from the 2007 M-K Artist Camp.

To see bios of the artists who participated, visit our Muskwa-Kechika Camps link.

Photo: The 2007 M-K Artist Camp participants in the Muskwa-Kechika (photo by Wayne Sawchuk).

While some rode horses into the alpine, others hiked. Writer/publisher Sheila Peters (right) and I enjoyed a scenic rest near the end of our trek.

This year, the camp enjoyed the shelter of a new tipi. Many of the artist presentations took place here and, when not presenting, some of us painted. Seen here is Sara-Lynn Johnson adding her creativity to the tipi wall.

The artists once again had the pleasure of riding and hiking into the alpine. Hats off to Wayne Sawchuk for leading the way.

Some of the artists helped out in bringing the horses back to camp. Pictured here is artist Brian Jungen on Hazel.

Taking in the view of Mayfield from the top of a mountain are artists (l-r) Adrienne Greyeyes, Laura Edna Lacey, Kristen Auger, Brian Jungen, and Sheila Peters.

The artist camp inspired many different ways of viewing art and wilderness. Along that theme was a song written by Garry Oker while at the camp. Garry is seen here enjoying a truly expansive view.

City Councilor Marilyn Belak invited the women of the media to lunch. If you're wondering why I was invited, it's a good question. I do know that I appreciate the great support of the media in all my events (not to mention Councilor Belak's work on council) and they are a great bunch to be around!

Photo: (l-r) Lindsay Warner (CJDC TV), Joei Warm (Northeast News), Cary Walter (Dawson Creek Daily News), Marilyn Belak (City Councilor), me, Alicia Asquith (CJDC News) - and in front - the lovely April Parker (Peace FM)

From Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, 2006 M-K Artist Camp alumni Jerry Pavia dropped by for a visit in his Mercedes Benz - fueled with vegetable oil. Shown here is Jerry with his car by a lovely field of canola.

And what does Jerry do when he's not driving his car?

Click on his picture to find out (mystery woman aka councillor and poet Marilyn Belak).

The Whitehorse Poetry Festival took place June 22-24, 2007 and was a great success. Thanks and congratulations to Clea Roberts and the Whitehorse Poetry Collective for their hard work and terrific hospitality!

Photo: (l-r) me, Clea Roberts, Barry McKinnon, and Sharon Thesen enjoying a post-reading dinner at the home of Clea and Mark Roberts

Here we are (l-r Hardy Friedrich, Emilie Mattson, me and Dean Mattson), after the impromptu art auction at Karl Mattson's - in which I scored this fantastic painting - setting off to the next stop of the night's progressive art tour.

June 16th was the night of the M-K Art Video screening, which took place at our house and continued on to a tour of Emilie Mattson's studio, then to a stop at Karl Mattson's studio which transpired into an art auction of Karl's work in which I was the successful bidder on this painting of Karl's. Pictured here in Larry Kunz's sauna (the third, but not the last stop of the night's progressive art tour) is Karl and his painting and me, thrilled purchaser of the piece.

The 2007 Muskwa-Kechika Artist Camp is just a few weeks away. Visit Muskwa-Kechika Camps to have a look at some of the dynamic artists attending this year's camp.

10 years ago a group of us known as the purple donuts hosted the Festival of the Sweetwater Moon, an arts festival that featured singer/songwriter Roy Forbes. The night before the event, an impromptu planning session at the Rolla Pub inspired the placement of a temporary and "unofficial" Roy Forbes Freeway sign (painted by artist Emilie Mattson) on the Rolla Road.

It was an idea that persisted inside me for a decade, and I'm pleased to say that it's finally official and permanent!

"Roy Forbes Drive" was unveiled in Dawson Creek on June 9th by Mayor Calvin Kruk. The unveiling was followed by a sold out and fantastic performance by Roy at the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre.

A very big thank you to the City of Dawson Creek for seeing my request through.

For more information on Roy's tribute weekend, click here.

Photo: me with Roy Forbes at "Roy Forbes Drive."

Prior to the reading at the Hudson's Hope Public Library, poets Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane were given a tour of the Hudson's Hope Museum by Coordinator Rosaleen Ward.

(l-r) Rosaleen Ward, Coordinator of the Hudson's Hope Museum, with Donna Kane, Lorna Crozier, and Patrick Lane

The town of Hudson's Hope had the rare opportunity to hear two of Canada's best-known poets when Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane read to an appreciative crowd at the Hudson's Hope Public Library Thursday May 17, 2007.

Thank you to Karen Anderson and staff at the Hudson's Hope Public Library for hosting this event.

Patrick Lane reading at the Hudson's Hope Public Library

Over 30 poets and well over 100 audience members participated in Poetry Day in Dawson Creek on Wednesday May 16th. Readers from near and far, from first-time readers to seasoned performers took to the stage at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery and gave community members a taste of poetry like never before!

Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts, the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, the Dawson Coop, Al Mottishaw of Re-Max Dawson Creek Realty, and Writing on the Ridge for their generous support of the day.

Seen here is me, Donna Kane, giving a welcome and introduction to the first reading of the day.

Dymphny Dronyk and Alexis Kienlen, whose books have recently been published by Frontenac House, read from their work at the Poetry Day in Dawson Creek event.

Dymphny and Alexis accept a gift from Marilyn Belak, a councilor (and poet in her own right) from the City of Dawson Creek

Award-winning poets Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane were the day's featured readers. Their magnificent readings were the perfect end to a wonderful day of poetry in Dawson Creek.

Patrick Lane and Lorna Crozier relaxing at the end of the day's events with Patti Martin, proprietor of the Rolla Pub

No reading in Dawson Creek would be complete without a wind-up reception at the Rolla Pub.

A group of poets and audience members who took in the post-reading reception at the Rolla Pub

Rebekah Rempel, former South Peace Secondary School and Northern Lights College graduate, read some of her poetry with Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane at the gala evening reading May 16, 2007.

Rebekah is currently studying poetry with Lorna Crozier at the University of Victoria.

Rebekah Rempel at the gala evening reading

A highlight of the day's events was a reading by Mayor Calvin Kruk. Calvin read Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs and Ham" to a delighted crowd of poetry enthusiasts.

Mayor Calvin Kruk reading a well known poem about first impressions

Poetry Day in Dawson Creek's first reading of the day was the Local Poets Reading. Nine amazing local readers inspired the crowd during the lunch hour of May 16, 2007.

Seen here are local poets (Back Row l-r) Linda Studley, Shannon McKinnon, Theresa Gladue, Dori Braun, Brenda Neil, Anne Clayton (Front Row l-r) Barbara Carlson, Jeannie Lindgren, Marilyn Belak

From CJDC's Grizz Michael's riveting reading of Ernest Cline's "Dance, Monkeys, Dance" to Peace FM's Hugh Headley's rapping of Kool Moe Dee's "Go See the Doctor" to original poetry penned by Alaska Highway News reporter hardy f, representatives from radio, television, and newspapers throughout the region wowed the crowds at the Media Poetry Bash, an event to be remembered for a very long time!

Special thanks to CJDC's April Parker for a wonderful job introducing the readers!

Seen here are the media folks who took part in the Media Poetry Bash May 16, 2007

Artwork from the 2006 Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp has been touring the Peace Liard region since February 2007. The show is making its final appearance at the Fort Nelson campus of Northern Lights College. The show opened May 11th and will be on display at the college until May 31st.

If you live anywhere near the Fort Nelson area, be sure to take in this remarkable show!

Click on the photo to see details of artwork by all 14 artists who attended the camp.

Marl Brown (left), Curator, Custodian and Founder of the Fort Nelson Museum, was one of the community members who took in the opening of the M-K Art Show at the Fort Nelson campus of Northern Lights College on Friday May 11th.

Emilie Mattson (right) discusses her sculpture with other regional artists who attended the M-K Art Show in Fort Nelson. The show will be on display until May 31st.

Friday April 13th marked the opening of the Muskwa-Kechika Art Show at North Peace Gallery in Fort St. John.

A good crowd turned out and the exhibit looked wonderful. Thanks to Shar and Sarah at the North Peace Gallery and the Spirit of BC Program for their support in making this show a success!

Pictured here is a sculpture by Emilie Mattson, whose work was part of the M-K Art Show.

Pictured here is a painting (oil and tar on canvas) by Karl Mattson, titled The Sentinels.

Pictured here is Yeva Mattson with her piece, titled MiKro/MaKro

Shown here is a video still from one of Von Bark's videos, titled The Horses!

"Under the Influence", an art exhibit of work by students of Laine Dahlen's Visual Arts program at Northern Lights College, opened Saturday night. The event, which was kept as a surprise, was a celebration of Laine's 30 years of remarkable artistic mentorship. Over 100 people attended the event and it was a wonderful and heartwarming evening!

"Under the Influence", a drawing I did in Laine's class in the early 1990s, before I switched to poetry.

On Wednesday, March 7th, I visited two Grade 10 classes at South Peace Secondary School in Dawson Creek, as part of the Federation of BC Writers Off the Page Program.

I had a great time, and I hope the students did too!

Seen here is me with Laura Paterson, student teacher, and some of the students I visited.

On February 17 and 18, I had the pleasure of facilitating a creative writing workshop at the Dawson Creek Library. Thank you to Jenny and the library staff for hosting the workshop and for feeding us! What a terrific weekend. It was an honor to hear so many creative and wonderful words.

On Saturday, February 10th, Canada Council for the Arts' Genevieve Landreville enjoyed visits to some notable artist studios in our area. Seen here is Genevieve enjoying a ski at Peter von Tiesenhausen's home and studio. Genevieve also made stops at Karl Mattson's studio as well as Emilie Mattson's.

(l-r) Peter von Tiesenhausen, Theresa von Tiesenhausen, and Genevieve.

We were pleased to have both youth artists attend the opening. Seen here are Colton Gibbins from Bonners Ferry, Idaho and Yeva Mattson from Prince George. The painting in the picture is by Colton.

The opening saw a packed crowd enjoying the art and the presentations given by artists and dignitaries.

As part of the M-K Art Show opening, the 50th anniversary of the Canada Council for the Arts was also celebrated. Genevieve Landreville, Special Events Coordinator with the Canada Council for the Arts, came all the way from Ottawa to join in the festivities. Seen here is Genevieve and friends cutting the anniversary cake.

Mayor Calvin Kruk and City Councilor Marilyn Belak made a special presentation to Genevieve Landreville in honor of the Canada Council for the Arts 50th anniversary.

One of the highlights at the post-opening reception at the Rolla Pub was the firework show. One firework was launched for the crowd.

Over 100 people came out to enjoy the artwork created from the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp.

Tomorrow is the big night, and some of us are still finishing up our pieces for the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp art show, opening at 7 pm tomorrow, February 9th, at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

Seen here is me, working on my banner titled You Know Me Better Than I Know Myself.

As part of the launch of the M-K Art Show, Writing on the Ridge will also be hosting an anniversary party for the Canada Council for the Arts . Genny Landreville with the Canada Council for the Arts, will be travelling from Ottawa for the festivities.

Since its inception in 2001, Writing on the Ridge has hosted over 50 author readings, more than one reading for every year the Canada Council for the Arts has been in existence! Many of these readings have been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, and Writing on the Ridge wishes to thank them for their invaluable support to arts and culture in Northern BC.

This year, Writing on the Ridge is proud to assist in two exciting camps to be held in the beautiful Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. Click here for more information!

Photo: Detail of a painting created from the 2006 Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp (click on image to see the entire piece). The painting is by Victoria artist Deryk Houston (Title of Piece: "Muskwa Kechika" Medium: acrylic on canvas Size: 30" x 130").

Over 70 people showed up at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery to take in Wayne Sawchuk's slide show of his 2006 Muskwa-Kechika Expedition and the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp which took place this past August.

While visiting the Rolla Pub after a full day of readings, Elizabeth Bachinsky agreed to an impromptu reading at the request of the pub clientele. Thank you Liz for your generosity and wonderful words!

Elizabeth Bachinsky, finalist for the 2006 Governor General's Award for Poetry, gave four readings while in Dawson Creek on November 16th. Elizabeth wowed the crowds at South Peace Secondary School, Northern Lights College, and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, finishing off with an impromptu reading at the Rolla Pub.

Seen here is Elizabeth at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery

Forget the Mile Zero Post, the when-in-the-Peace-you-must-be-photographed-beside place now resides in Bessborough, approximately 28 kms northwest of the formerly famous Alaska Highway marker. Brainchild of local writer Shannon McKinnon, you can keep abreast of her Ditch Stove Project by visiting Shannon's stove project blog at www.shannonmckinnon.com/blog.html.

Seen here is me, having my picture taken beside the stove and Bessborough Betty.

Susan Juby, award-winning author of Miss Smithers and the made for TV Alice, I Think, read to an appreciative audience Thursday October 5th. Susan had the distinction of reading beside the amazing cow placenta boat created by artists Emilie, Dean, and Karl Mattson. The Mattson show, titled "The Expedition" is on display at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery from September 26th to November 11th.

(l-r) poets Sandra Ridley, Jennifer Londry (poet and birthday gal), me, Rhonda Douglas (poet and host of the Tree Reading Series), and rob mclennan. Thank you to Rhonda and Dean for hosting my reading September 26th.

On September 26th, I read at the Tree Reading Series, one of Canada's longest running literary events.

Visiting after the reading. (l-r) Jennifer Londry, Sandra Ridley, Christopher Taylor, and me.

From August 6th - 14th, 2006, twelve artists from across Canada participated in the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp.

Shown here is a detail of a painting created from the art camp (click on the image to see the entire piece). The painting is by Victoria artist Deryk Houston (Title of Piece: "Muskwa Kechika" Medium: acrylic on canvas Size: 30" x 130").

Support for the art camp was generously provided by Arts Now, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Northern Lights College Foundation, the Peace Liard Regional Arts Council, the Chetwynd Environmental Society and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery.

The first exhibit of the artwork produced from the camp will be held at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery February 6 - March 3, 2007. See below for a photo-log of the camp. For more information on the Muskwa-Kechika, visit www.muskwakechika.com

Many of the artists left subtle pieces of art around Mayfield. Seen here is Deryk Houston's Rocks and shaped branches.

Taking in the spectacular scenery at the top of a mountain are Donna Kane, Emilie Mattson, Donna Wende, and Deryk Houston.

Photographers Jerry Pavia and Wayne Sawchuk hard at work.

A group shot fronted by an assemblage of antlers, collected mostly by Colton.

Wayne Sawchuk and Emilie Mattson setting out to do some artwork.

Weaver, writer, and paper artist Dotter Field makes a thread of yarn from goat hair found at a mineral lick.

Artists had the good fortune of spending two days in the alpine. Hats off to Wayne (seen here leading the pack string) for packing us up and getting us there and back with such seeming ease!

Taking in the view from the wharf at Mayfield Lake are Colton and Yeva, two young artists who participated in the camp.

Artist Karl Mattson sits on a chair he built from found materials in an area where a forest fire had recently passed through.

Prior to the two day pack string trip into the alpine, artists had a chance to go on some practise rides around Mayfield. Seen here on Bucky is poet Don McKay.

At the end of each day, artists gave presentations on their work.

It took three float plane trips to bring in the artists and their gear. Seen here, waiting for his flight, is artist Deryk Houston.

Don McKay, on the wharf at Muncho Lake, before boarding the float plane into the Muskwa-Kechika.

After arriving at Muncho Lake, artists boarded a float plane owned by Urs Schildknecht of Liard Air. The float plane took the artists to the art camp, located at Mayfield Lake in the heart of the Muskwa-Kechika.

Just one of the breathtaking views from the float plane as we flew in to the artist camp.

Artists travelled by car to Muncho Lake from Rolla. One of the stops along the way was this viewpoint where participants enjoyed one of their first views of the Muskwa-Kechika. Seen here are (l-r) Donna Wende, Deryk Houston, and Barbara Swail.

The Muskwa-Kechika artists gathered outside of the Rolla Pub (missing from photo - Jerry Pavia, Colton, Wayne Sawchuk, and Yeva Mattson).

The artists began their adventure at the Rolla Pub where over 100 community members came out to celebrate two important events - the recent designation of heritage status to the Rolla Hotel and the Muskwa-Kechika Artist Exploration Camp.

(l-r) Don McKay, Sally McKay, and Von Bark, participants of the M-K Artist Exploration Camp, taking in the welcome reception at the Rolla Pub.

Jeanette Lynes, currently writer in residence at the Saskatoon Public Library, came to Dawson Creek to facilitate a Youth Writer's Workshop over the weekend. Jeanette was our writer in residence at Northern Lights College last summer. It was great to have Jeanette back in the Peace!

Jeanette Lynes takes some time out to look for fossils.

(l-r) Jeanette Lynes and Wayne Sawchuk

Heading back to the airport, Jeanette Lynes stops to visit the famous Beaver sculpture in Beaverlodge, Alberta.

(l-r) Donna Kane and Jeanette Lynes

Sue Wheeler read from her newest collection of poetry at the Dawson Creek Art Gallery Monday April 24th.

(l-r ) Sue Wheeler with Tim Ewert and Donna Kane after the reading.

Photo Credit: Pat Moss

Photo Credit: Pat Moss