SwampFire

Thirteenth Retreat: 2022
Steve Smith’s 4 Corners Gallery, Angola IN

Sprouting crops in the dry, dry fields surrounding Steve’s gallery remind us of the time and space artists need to create. Creativity gets us through dry years, literally speaking, as in this year’s drought. And metaphorically, as has been the case for Dawn Burns, founder of the annual SwampFire retreat. She reaped a “plentiful harvest” in 2022, with the publication of her thematic novel, Evangelina Everyday.

Here is her reflection on the importance of SwampFire in her life: “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.”

The photos below, taken by Bex Miller and Dawn Burns, are of a parched field adjacent to Steve Smith’s gallery grounds.

Closeup of a single seedling in a mud-cracked field

Several seedlings in a mud-cracked field

Longshot of seedlings in a desiccated field

Longshot of desiccated field, with barn in the distance

Sunlight streaming through clouds onto a desiccated field

Organizer Mary Catherine Harper with Joyce Meier, who returns to SwampFire after four years
Rachel Baker, one of the original four SwampFire members, with five-time participant Bex Miller
Marian Plant, long-time SwampFire participant, with host Steve Smith
A just-right selfie: Dawn and Mary Catherine
Newcomers Cait West and Cheryl L. Caesar share thoughts about creative nonfiction
Steve, Rachel, and Mary Catherine in Steve’s pottery studio
Just waitin’ for someone to settle in for the late-afternoon view

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"Three-Element Fusion" by Mary Catherine Harper, a three-image overlay of tree, dragonfly, and moon — *^{“Three-Element Fusion” by Mary Catherine Harper}*

SwampFire bonfire — ^{photo by Eva English}

Reflections by retreat participants . . .

My first time at SwampFire and it has been lovely. A circle of artists creating a sacred space—and I have felt at home.
~Cait West

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.
~Marian Plant

What a lovely day, talking in the circle about poetry, art, life, animals—
~Joyce Meier

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.
~Cheryl L. Caesar

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.
~Bex Miller

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.
~Rachel Baker

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.
~Mary Catherine Harper

Steve Smith, who generously opens the grounds of 4 Corners Gallery Studio & Pottery for SwampFire each year simply declares, “Always a favorite weekend.”

Annual Retreat Archive