I recently returned from a three-week stay at Elsewhere Studios in Paonia, CO. Here's the 411:
How did I get here?
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| Copyright Eluvian.blogspot.com |
When I returned home from a week of complete focus at the Wellspring House (click here for my post re Wellspring), I was confused. So by day four I found myself searching for another retreat house. I found a lovely, affordable retreat house in Elsewhere Studios, and decided to call:
“Do you guys by any chance have a cancellation for, say...next week?”
“Yes, we do!”
“...That’s a joke, right? I was kidding.”
“No!”
“I’m coming.”
…Which is when I realized that this place was in Colorado. I shrugged and laughed, Eh, why not? And three days later I was on a westbound plane more than halfway across the country.
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| Copyright Eluvian.blogspot.com |
A comparison between WELLSPRING and ELSEWHERE STUDIOS
Both amazing stays, but completely different experiences.
WELLSPRING | ELSEWHERE | |
Type of Retreat | Writer’s Retreat | Artist’s Retreat |
Housemates | Easy to connect creatively with fellow writers. We understood each other deeply and formed mutual respect for each other instantaneously. Very focused – house is completely silent most of the day. Most of Wellspring’s residents come for very short, intense stays. | More difficult to connect on a creative level. Housemates have boundless energy. Residencies at Elsewhere are longer – at least a month generally, and so environment is much more laid back. |
Retreat House itself | Inspiration can be scooped up by the hand in this house. The voices of 800 writers preceding you are etched into the walls. The house lights are dimmed, engendering focus. | Elsewhere Studios is the epitome of bright colors and paintings everywhere. The house is painted green, what else can you say? |
Surrounding Town | Didn’t see much of the town since I barely left the house, but when I did it was quiet and lovely. Very quaint. | Paonia is perfect. Spent a lot of time in the town, since the stay was longer. 360 view of the mountains: utterly breathtaking. Amazing sense of community; everyone is so lovely. |
Time Spent | 1 week | 3 weeks |
Experience | Extremely intense. The couch could have grown around me. Barely any breaks. Rarely left the house. 40,000 words in a week. The writing owns you at Wellspring. | Since you can’t tie yourself to a chair and write for three weeks nonstop (I dare you), my stay at Elsewhere was extremely laid back. Like early retirement. My heart could breathe slow, relaxed enough to really look around and see how beautiful the world around me is. Living in Paonia, CO, was like living in an alternate reality. I really could experience my life as opposed to just living it. My lengthened stay really allowed me to build on my person as a creative whole. Leisurely walks. Yoga classes Horseback riding Country dances Theatre Cooking experiments Costume closet fun Writing critique group …Writing, of course The town is so small (1500) and connected that “rumors” flew of having a writer at Elsewhere Studios, and so I had guests to entertain! |
In Summary: | Focused | Early Retirement |
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Private questions or comments? Email me at writetoeluvian@gmail.com
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| Copyright Eluvian.blogspot.com |
I'd be afraid that at Elsewhere I'd be more apt to indulge my photographic muse than my writing one.
ReplyDeletePaonia is roughly the size of where I live, but where I live is nowhere as beautiful. I can see how it's much more laid back. Nature beckons you there. :)
There would be time to indulge both muses.
ReplyDelete