Waterline Writers/Well Read Event Tonight at WSS

On August 19, Waterline Writers will be hosting our first collaborative event in conjunction with Rita Grendze's Well Read exhibit at Water Street Studios.

Rita recently added books to her eclectic mix of art materials after a basement flood left her with boxes of gorgeous old books in need of "re-purposing." What began as a series of book angels has expanded greatly in size, scope and concept, and will culminate in a one woman show this August in the second floor gallery at WSS. (August 1-19th: W,Th,Su 12-4. Fri 10-9, Sat 10-2.)

Books as art objects? Absolutely. As Rita describes it, "Books are incredible, often beautiful and tactile objects, the ideas they contain are equally interesting, and can border on the sacred...I would like Well Read to be reverential, to pay homage to the words and ideas that the best-loved books contain." You can read more about Rita's process here.

Well Read and Waterline Writers are such a natural pairing that we knew we needed to get our local writers involved.  Here are two ways you can participate:

#1: Did someone say books?

Even the smell of books does something for you, doesn't it? Their smell, their weight, the dog-eared pages and cryptic side notes written by a stranger in the book you found by chance in the thrift store. And, oh, the words and the worlds inside. From the magical realms of childhood where even a simple Purple Crayon can present infinite possibilities to coming-of-age tales of Black Stallions and Ponyboys to pulp fiction, poets and the Pulitzer Prize, ink on paper is both Muse and Mentor for the writer.

For our themed event, we ask you to ponder this collaborative opportunity, and the reverence you share with Rita for the physicality of books and the ideas they contain, then share the significance of books in your life, tell us where they have transported you, or transport us with your own stories and poems. Submit your fiction, poems, or creative nonfiction to be read at our companion event, Well Said, on August 19. Submissions should be approximately 8 minutes long.

Laura Young, whom you may know from her prior readings at Waterline Writers, will be the curator for this event. Please send a short bio and submissions to be included for consideration to her at laura@laurayoungphotography.com by July 31st. There are limited spots available. The event will be recorded.

#2: Did someone say "one woman show?"

Well, that's not exactly true. Well Read has added an interactive aspect, with postcards to be filled out by exhibit visitors. As an author, you are heartily invited to add your reflections on the meaning of books in your life and/or your responses to the floor-to-ceiling book sculptures Rita has created. Please plan to do so early in the show's run, as the postcards and the treasures they contain will become the final piece in the installation (with Waterline Writers' summer intern Annie Baldwin's assistance) and will also be integrated into Waterline Writer's Aug. 19th reading event.

Not sure when to see the exhibit? The opening reception is August 4th, from 5-9 pm. Is there a better way to end your visit to Batavia's Art In Your Eye than sipping a glass of wine and participating in communal art at Water Street Studios?  Answer: No, we think not.

Thank you, we are looking forward to your submissions and your postcard participation!