South Central Chapter Conference Overview

2016 SPE SC Regional Conference

When October 13-16, 2016
Where Online Event
Featured Speakers Joshua Edwards, Claudia Elisa Zapata
Honored Educator Tim Tracz

Join together with friends (and future friends) at our all-inclusive 2016 Conference/ Retreat! Nestled by the Guadalupe River in the picturesque and culturally rich Texas Hill Country, the site of our conference will be Camp Stewart, a summer camp in Hunt, TX.

This regional conference offers the type of programming you expect as well as some new experiences. There will be two full days of lectures, workshops, demonstrations and portfolio reviews from regional SPE members, as well as keynote presentations in poetry, performance and the written word. Unique to this conference will be outdoor cookouts, a gourmet catered meal, ongoing exhibitions, a Yurt Obscura and outdoor activities!

Camp Stewart is located near the small town of Hunt, TX, about 15 miles from Kerrville, 116 miles from Austin, and 80 miles from San Antonio. Lodging options include group cabins (bunk beds), shared rooms, private rooms, campsites, and an off-site motel.

Registration begins on August 15. Only current SPE members may register. Be sure to buy or renew your SPE membership before you register. Non-members will have their registration cancelled. Advanced Registration Only. No on-site registration.

TO SEE ALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION (including schedule, lodging, speakers, events, etc.) AND TO REGISTER click on the link:

www.regonline.com/SPESC16

Special Events and Activities-

Friday Evening Performance: Montopolis Trio performs Monolith – (Sponsored by the University of Texas at Arlington)

A “Psychedelic Modern Classical Ensemble” from Austin TX, performing “Monolith,” a recently debuted work for piano and strings, inspired by the massive pink granite monolith called “Enchanted Rock,” 40 miles north of the conference site. The performance includes projected photographic images and spoken word narrative of the monolith’s geological formation.

Ongoing Photo Show – Take advantage of on-site printers, paper, and portable walls, for a crowd-sourced exhibition that will change and evolve as the retreat progresses. Sponsored by Red River Paper, Hannemuhle, Propanels and KIND Snack Bars.

Open Portfolio Reviews – New format: Reviewees will be assigned a table. Official Portfolio Reviewers commit to spend an hour moving from table to table offering feedback to each Reviewee, allowing the flexibility for longer (or shorter) individual reviews.

Friday Morning Hike by the River – Enjoy an invigorating stroll through the Hill Country landscape.

Saturday Morning Yoga – Led by Colette Copeland, SPE member and Certified Yoga Instructor. Bring your own mat!

Hammock Pavilion – Overlooking the Guadalupe River. Relax, sway slowly in the breeze, sit a spell, and cleanse your mind for creative rejuvenation. Sponsored by Eagle’s Nest Outfitters.

Yurt Obscura – A 150 sq. ft. circular temporary “tent” made of foam insulation panels and duct tape, with a lens mounted in one wall! Experience the optical thrill known since ancient days. Courtesy of SPE Member Rachel Rushing.

FREE TIME! Fridays and Saturdays 3:00-6:00 will be free time for swimming, canoeing, archery ($35 fee), or one of several informal demonstrations such as Carbon Transfer, Wet Collodion, and Screen Printing.

Gourmet Dinner – Catered by Brenton Childs, former Executive Chef at the Salt Lick and Bess Bistro (both in Austin, TX), and Stubb’s BBQ. He specializes in “Southern gourmet comfort food.”