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HOFFMAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS DEBUTS
‘ONLINE AND AT THE BEACH’
Kruse will teach “Creativity Catalyst” while Shor-
tridge will teach “Putting Your Prose to Work.”
Both Kruse and Shortridge are “veterans” of pre-
ducation in the 21st century often means
vious workshops and readings at the center and were
more than brick-and-mortar classrooms.
natural fi ts for the pilot program.
There is a bevy of online opportunities
“We’ve always had great response to Megan and
for all ages and interests.
Jennie here as workshop teachers,” the writer series
Online students can learn from wher-
organizer, Kathie Hightower, said.
ever and whenever they want, making
Kruse, the author of “Call Me
“e-education” an attractive option
Home” and recipient of a 2016 Pacifi c
for those with busy work and family
Northwest Book Award, is excited to be
schedules. Or for those who prefer
on board.
learning from the comfort of their
“Life so often gets in the way of our
favorite chair and cozy bathrobe.
work,” she said. “I want this class to be
With that in mind, Manzanita’s
a creative hothouse for dormant ideas
Hoffman Center For The Arts Writer’s
and a jolt of energy.”
Series is launching “Online and at
Shortridge, author of fi ve novels –
the Beach” on May 1. Part of Hoff
including “Love Water Memory” and
Online, the program will offer writing
“When She Flew” — thinks the program
and visual arts workshops.
will offer a necessary push to writers.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
While Hoffman Center has always
“I’m excited to work with students
Manzanita Writers’ Series who’ve been writing for a while, but
offered a broad range of workshops,
has off ered many work- aren’t quite sure how to go to the next
the center’s President Vera Wildauer
shops over the years.
said the time has come to expand
level,” she said, adding that the class
their repertoire beyond the half-day,
will provide clear, concrete practices Author J
e
in-house format.
and methods that aren’t necessarily taught in class- Pr ose To W nnie Shortrid
g
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e
SU B
lp
“It allows for a more in-depth learning experience,” rooms in her experience.
writers rk” and beli e will teach “
Puttin MIT TED PHOTO
eves t
take th
g Y
h
she said. “Students appreciate the fl exibility and can
e
e next
step. class will our
‘Hard to beat the beach’
work on their own schedule and from anywhere.”
For the Hoffman Center For The Arts, this
“Online and at the Beach” will reach people
program is an exciting step in a new direction. It has
who might only come to the beach for holidays and
the potential to reach writers on the Oregon Coast, the
weekends, as well as coastal residents farther south or
Pacifi c Northwest and the country.
north.
The hope is that future classes will expand to
Wildauer said people in Clatsop, Tillamook and
Lincoln counties often try to participate in the center’s include other artistic endeavors such as painting and
programs but aren’t always able to because of work or music instruction.
But writing always seemed like the natural com-
weather conditions.
“Tillamook County is a very long county, and while ponent to start with as it combines the best of both
worlds: e-learning with workshopping.
we regularly get participants who live in Pacifi c City
Hightower said that, over the years, the center’s
or Neskowin, offering online learning makes it easier
programs such as the Writers Series and PoetryFest
for them to connect with us,” she said.
have offered valuable interaction time between writers
‘A creative hothouse’
and teachers.
The fi ve-week online course culminates in an
She thinks that interaction – along with the renewal
optional writing retreat weekend in Manzanita the
and healing aspect of the beach setting – will make
weekend of June 2, a gathering that will allow students “Online and at the Beach” successful.
to meet their instructor and fellow students, and enjoy
Wildauer agrees.
additional craft writing sessions.
“It’s hard to beat the beach for inspiration and
Participants will also have an opportunity to read
learning,” she said.
their work at an open mic, try “Yoga for Writers,” go
Classes begin May 1. To register, visit www.hoff-
OTO
on hikes, and dive into a “Prompt-O-Rama.”
manblog.org/hoff-online.
T E D PH
SU B M IT
ity
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t
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e
r
The intention, Wildauer said, is to complement
“Online and at the Beach” was supported, in part,
ch C
a
e
t
l
il
w
the online courses with a weekend retreat as often as
by a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust: Oregonians
Arts.
Home,”
all Me enter for the
C
“
f
o
possible.
sustaining, developing and participating in our arts,
r
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autho h Hoff man
Kruse,
g
The initial series instructors will be prominent
heritage and humanities.
Megan t online throu
Pacifi c Northwest authors Megan Kruse and Jennie
Dan Haag is the manager of the Manzanita Visitors
Catalys
Shortridge.
Center.
By DAN HAAG
FOR COAST WEEKEND