FESTIVAL UNBOUND

Join us for a workshop focused on appreciating the land that we inhabit. Enjoy the stories and language of the Lenape, make your own paper, and create your own poems, all while immersed in the wonderful, natural beauty of the Lehigh Valley.

Workshop Overview

This workshop will begin with an introduction to some of the property at Northampton Community College’s East 40. We recognize that we stand on the homeland of the Lenape, and pay respect and honor to the caretakers of this land, from time immemorial until now, and into the future. To honor these origins, Adam De Paul (Chief Education Officer) and Shelley De Paul (Chief Language Officer) from the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania will share stories and language of the Lenape.

Amanda Thackray, one of the East 40 s three summer Artists-in-Residence, will help participants make paper from natural materials found on the East 40 acreage, that will include seeds from the meadows. Because that paper will not be dry before the end of the time together, Amanda will provide paper to each participant that she made earlier.

Abby Michelini, another of the Artists-in-Residence, will introduce a simple poetic form, and give participants several prompts. Drawing from the Lenape stories and language that was shared, participants will construct their own poem.

There will be time for the participants to engage in writing, and then to write their poem on the provided seed paper.

We ll close our session together with everyone sharing their poems. Participants will be encouraged to take their seed paper poem home, and – after reading the poem aloud – plant it in a place special to them.

To celebrate the community we ve made, we hope participants will take a photo of their planted seed paper and share it on the East 40 social platforms (@ncceast40 on Instagram and Facebook).

WHAT TO EXPECT

Please wear comfortable shoes for walking!

AGE RESTRICTIONS: Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

VENUE: Participants will be meet at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center, 511 E 3rd St, Bethlehem. You will then transported via NCC van to the Green Pond campus, where NCC East 40 is located.

PLEASE NOTE: The van to NCC East 40 will leave at 10am sharp! We recommend that you arrive to the Fowler Center no later than 9:45am.

FOOD & DRINK: Refreshments and beverages will be provided.

RUN TIME: 2 hours and 30 mins, including travel there and back. The return time to Fowler Center is 12:30pm.

PARKING: Please visit this link for parking guidance to lots near the Fowler Center. There is also nearby street or lot parking (here s a link to more Bethlehem parking options).

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: If you need special transportation accommodations (e.g. children in car seats/boosters or wheelchair access), please contact Touchstone Theatre via phone at (610) 867-1689 or via email at touchstone@touchstone.org. A compost bathroom facility is available on site, but note that it is up one step.

AFTER THE WORKSHOP: We recommend dropping by Venture X (306 South New St.) between 12-2pm to experience Alexander Khimushin s The World In Faces photography exhibit, featured at the United Nations in Geneva, UNESCO Paris, and the Council Of Europe in Strasbourg. More info here!

What happens if it rains?!

This event will be held rain or shine!

[Image description: A peaceful meadow on a gorgeous day. Directly in front are dozens of different kinds of wildflowers. Specks of yellows, reds, pinks, purples, and whites shimmer in and amongst all of the greenery. In the background is a row of large deep green trees, stretching in a line across the horizon. Above it all are fluffy white clouds, lazily making their way across the sky.]