May 2025
Ochre Pit Cove / Writing Retreat Facilitator
LISTEN Writer and Art Retreat
Katrina Grabner and I were thrilled to facilitate yet another LISTEN writing and art retreat, but this time on the opposite coast at the Ochre House Retreat in Newfoundland. Through writing workshops and art-making, we continued to explore the connections between ecology, body, community, and sense of place (we even made a mandala on the beach).
April 2025
St. John’s / Co-host of Paragon Literary Magazine Launch
Paragon Launch Party, #10
Nicole Haldoupis and I co-manage Paragon Magazine together and in April 2025 we launched issue #10 of Paragon with lots of fanfare at The Peter Easton Pub! We’re currently working on issue #11.
Oct 2024
St. John’s / Readings
Riddle Fence Launch Party, # 52
I read at Riddle Fence’s launch party for issue #52, which took place at the LSPU Hall. I read from my creative nonfiction essay, “Moose the Size of Sky,” and took in readings from my extremely talented fellow writers, Craig Francis Power, Maggie Burton, and Paul Moorehead. Thanks to Riddle Fence for publishing my work and to Elizabeth de Mariaffi for organizing us all!
Sept 2024
Brigus / Readings
Landfall Trust Open House
The wonderful Landfall board members asked me back to Kent Cottage to read at their September open house. I was in great company, with Joel Hynes reading, Ian Foster and Kelly Hynes singing, and Maria Cherwick playing tunes on her fiddle. Rhonda the Newfoundland pony even stopped by! I read some of my in-process poems written during my time at Kent Cottage and from my creative nonfiction essay, “Moose the Size of Sky.”
July 2024
St. John’s / Co-host of Paragon Literary Magazine Launch
Paragon Launch Party, #9
I am currently the co-managing editor of Paragon Magazine with the lovely and ingenious Nicole Haldoupis. In July 2024 we launched issue #9 of Paragon and lots of friends, family, and Paragon readers joined us at The Spirit Bar on Water St. to celebrate. We’re currently working on issue #10.
June 2024
Brigus / Writing Residency
Landfall Trust Writing Residency
In June of 2024, I had the honour of being selected by Memorial University’s English Department for a 2-week writing residency at Landfall Trust’s Kent Cottage in Brigus, NL. I spent two glorious weeks hiking the trails, walking my cute dog Bowen through Brigus, and of course writing and reading every day. It was productive, calming, deep work and I was so grateful to be given the focused time.
April 2024
St. John’s / SPARKS Host
SPARKS Literary Festival
I hosted the poetry panel at the 2024 SPARKS Literary Festival, held at the LSPU Hall in downtown St. John’s. It was an honour to engage with the revelatory voices of Lindsay Bird, Luke Hathaway, Matthew Hollett, and Daze Jefferies.
Nov 2023
Memorial University, St. John’s / Conference Presentation
(Re)Defining the Discipline English Conference
In the fall of 2023, I began a graduate program in English Literature at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. I participated in the (Re)Defining the Discipline English Conference, hosted by MUN, by presenting my talk: “Exploring Ecocritical Ideas Through Research Creation: A Creative Reading”
Aug 2023
St. John’s / Readings
HOLD FAST / Riddle Fence Launch
In the summer of 2023 I had the privilege of reading at Riddle Fence’s launch party for issue 49, which was held in collaboration with HOLD FAST 2023. I read two poems of mine that were published in issue 49: “Lay Yourself Down” and “The Hermeneutical Text.”
July 2023
Bowen Island / Writing Retreat Facilitator
LISTEN Writer and Art Retreat
I co-facilitated the LISTEN art and writing retreat at The Hermitage on Bowen Island with art therapist and lovely friend, Katrina Grabner. Together, we offered meditations on ecology, body, community, and sense of place through writing and art workshops (and lots of dips in the ocean).
Feb 2020
East Vancouver / Linocut Workshop Facilitator
Linocut Workshop
In 2020, I was the artist-in-residence at an East Vancouver church (yes, for 2 whole months before Covid changed everything). As a part of my residency, I offered a linocut workshop. Artists created lenten themed imagery inspired by the social justice issues in our community such as (but not limited to) food security, Truth and Reconciliation response, access to housing, and social isolation. I presented on the history and methods of linocut before facilitating a time of print creation. It was a full-day workshop followed by lots of individual meet-ups for printing.
May
2017
Bowen Island / Writing Retreat Facilitator
Bowen Island Writer’s Retreat
I organized and facilitated a writing retreat on Bowen Island at The Hermitage (a part of Rivendell) in May of 2017. We spent the long weekend on individual writing activities, group writing activities, long walks in the surrounding forest, and sumptuous evening meals.
May 2015
East Vancouver / Readings
Cultivate Art Show
In 2015, I was a featured reader at the Cultivate Art show, an East Vancouver “celebration of creativity” in our community. I read from my poems, “In the Garden” and “Preoccupation, Innocence” and showcased three of my photographs.
Christina Wells, Writer 