Presented in collaboration with Woodland Pattern Book Center.

Fee: $400/$360 for members of the Lynden Sculpture Garden or Woodland Pattern Book Center (only one discount applies). Fee includes admission to Fiffer’s reading and lunch on Saturday & Sunday.

Registration: Registration is now closed. If you have any questions, please contact Polly Morris at pmorris@lyndensculpturegarden.org or 414-446-8794.

Lodging Package: A block of rooms will be available at the Plaza Hotel in downtown Milwaukee at very reasonable rates. Check back soon for more information and reservation deadlines.

Are you writing a mystery, memoir, or a literary novel? Have you begun a collection of short stories? Are you revising your novel for the third time or are you struggling with the first draft? All writers, at any stage of their work, are welcome to participate in a weekend intensive with Sharon Fiffer, author of the Jane Wheel mysteries and a popular blog, What I Learned At The EZ Way Inn.

Begin by embarking on a junking junket around Milwaukee with Sharon Fiffer and Anne Kingsbury of Woodland Pattern. Fiffer will introduce you to the world of her character, Jane Wheel--antiques picker and private investigator. Much of Fiffer's fiction is based on childhood memories of growing up in Kankakee, Illinois and the objects she finds on her own junking expeditions. She will guide you through treasure hunting “research,” talk about the relationship between found objects and creative memory, and help you find some good stuff! On Saturday and Sunday the workshop moves to the Lynden Sculpture Garden, where you will discover your hidden story.

Sharon Fiffer’s residency is a collaboration between Lynden Sculpture Garden and the Woodland Pattern Book Center. In addition to the workshop, Fiffer will offer a reading at Woodland Pattern on March 8 at 7 pm. The weekend will conclude at Lynden with a free, informal reading (followed by a reception) by workshop participants on Sunday, March 10 at 2 pm. Both of these events are open to the public. Tickets for the Friday reading are available from Woodland Pattern at (414) 263-5001.

Schedule at a Glance

All activities take place at the Lynden Sculpture Garden unless otherwise indicated.

Friday, March 9
2 pm: Welcome and assemble for Junk Junket at Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, WI 53212.
5 pm: Dinner (location TBA).
5 pm: Reading by Sharon Fiffer at Woodland Pattern.

Saturday, March 9
10 am-12 pm: Getting started.
12 pm -1 pm: Lunch (provided by MKELocalicious).
1 pm-5 pm: The first chapter.
Dinner on your own
8 pm: EZ Way Inn Outing (optional).

Sunday, March 10
9 am-12 pm: Writing in short form.
12 pm -1 pm: Lunch (provided by MKELocalicious).
1-2 pm: Prepare for reading.
2 pm-4 pm: Reading followed by reception

Detailed Schedule

Friday
The weekend will kick off Friday afternoon with a junking junket with Sharon Fiffer and Anne Kingsbury of Woodland Pattern (Jane Wheel, after all, is known as a PPI: picker, private investigator). Sharon and Anne will take you to some of Milwaukee’s finest junking spots—and perhaps you’ll acquire an object you’d like to write about over the weekend. The group will stop for dinner prior to a reading by Sharon Fiffer at Woodland Pattern. Fiffer will read from her latest Jane Wheel mystery, an essay about transitioning into a mystery writer, and excerpts from other works. Discussion to follow.

Saturday
On Saturday, the group convenes at the Lynden Sculpture Garden.
In the morning: Getting started.
The first sentence. The first paragraph. The first page.
Everyone has a story. We will discuss finding yours. Whether you want to tell your story in fiction--as a short story or novel or as a memoir--every story begins with the first sentence, the first paragraph, the first page. And that's where we will begin. Writing from memory, finding your voice, figuring out what comes next and exercises to boost your creativity will all be covered in our workshop. Beginners and seasoned writers alike--we all start each writing day by putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and that's what we will do this morning.

We will write, read, discuss, wring our hands and gnash our teeth.

In the afternoon: The first chapter.
How to tell your story--what to tell and what not to tell. We will discuss plotting a novel--and, quite similarly, structuring a memoir. Various examples of structuring your work will be discussed and we will work on "timelines" for your pieces. Writing shorter pieces? Personal essays? Blog posts? Structure is vital since it will help you decide how to select your topics and the best, truest way to express yourself.

We will write, read, discuss, and if necessary, continue our wringing and gnashing. Yes, writing is hard. However, telling your story just might change the world. In other words, writing your story is worth it.

After dinner on your own, participants are invited to reassemble for an optional outing at an appropriately EZ Way Inn-ish Milwaukee nightspot.

Sunday
Sunday morning: Writing in short form.
From fact to fiction to memoir. That's how I used my own experiences, my own story in my work. I'll share some of the ways in which I loaned my life to my fictional character, Jane Wheel, and how I discovered a structure in which to reclaim the material for a memoir, which I am excerpting on my blog under "What I Learned At The E Z Way Inn."

In the afternoon: Reading
We will discuss reading one's own work--how to present and how to feel (mostly) comfortable reading one's work, and we’ll select pieces to read at the informal event this afternoon (friends and family welcome). We’ll finish with a reception—a chance for informal chatting and follow up.

What They Are Saying about Sharon Fiffer

From the first book, Killer Stuff…

"Killer Stuff is one of the funnest reads I have had in years. All of Sharon Fiffer's characters are absolutely superbly drawn and seem so real."

…to the eighth, Lucky Stuff…

"Fiffer’s prose sparkles, and she knows how to tell a story. All her characters are wonderfully real people, very much like people you might actually know yourself."

…Sharon Fiffer captivates her readers and leaves them wanting more.

“Sharon Fiffer is a terrific, gifted writer and teacher. Her knowledge of literature is wide-ranging and deep, and her insights are literate, insightful and often transformative to her writer-students. Her approach is kind, light-hearted and incredibly intelligent. I feel so fortunate to be a student of hers, which I have been for three years on a weekly basis.”
-Judith Q. Iacuzzi, Author of "Trust" A History of ACG

"Not only is Sharon a gifted writer, but she is also an outstanding teacher. Her instruction is both insightful and practical and her attitude is always positive, patient and encouraging. I feel lucky to be able to work with her."
- Francie Arenson. Wesley Writers Workshop

About Sharon Fiffer

Sharon Fiffer is the author of eight Jane Wheel mysteries published by St. Martin’s Minotaur: Killer Stuff, Guy’s Stuff, The Wrong Stuff, Buried Stuff, Hollywood Stuff, Scary Stuff, Backstage Stuff, and Lucky Stuff. She is also the co-editor of three collections of literary memoirs--HOME; American Writers Remember Rooms of Their Own; FAMILY: American Writers Remember Their Own; and BODY--and co-edited the award-winning literary magazine Other Voices for eight years. Fiffer’s short fiction has been published in several literary magazines. She received an Illinois Arts Council Award for her story “The Power of Speech” and was awarded a fellowship in fiction from The Illinois Arts Council. Fiffer has taught creative writing and literature at Barat College, The University of Illinois at Chicago, and Northwestern University. With her husband, writer Steve Fiffer,she is the co-founder of the Wesley Writers Workshop where she currently teaches.

A Workshop with Kelly Lahl

There is one spot left in this workshop. To register, please give us a call at 414-446-8794.

Fee: $85/ $75 members (all materials included)

Registration: Space is limited; advance registration required. If you prefer not to pay online, download a registration form here. You will receive additional information once you register.

This daylong workshop will explore easy and artful ways to apply dye to scarves. From simple techniques such as tie-dyeing, resist and salt, to interesting mark-making techniques, we will modernize this ancient art form. We will look at examples of mid-century textile designers and we’ll also be inspired by the wonderful art and nature surrounding us at Lynden.

Each student will create three wearable and uniquely painted scarves. No experience required, and all materials supplied. Remember: using dyes can be messy. We'll supply you with an apron, but please wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained.

Bring a bag lunch and beverages and dress for the outdoors we’ll be making use of Lynden’s 40 beautiful acres during our breaks, weather permitting.

About Kelly Lahl

Kelly Lahl is a multi-faceted print and surface designer working from her studio in Milwaukee, WI. She has recently taken to putting pigment down on silk, and has been experimenting with alternative approaches to surface design. She's a colorist and draws inspiration from the likes of Vera Neumann and various mid-century modernist designers and painters. She has a deep love of printing types and lettering, so naturally enjoys teaching undergraduate typography classes in the graphic design program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden. Younger children should work with an adult.

In a world of digital messaging, surprise a friend with a handmade card in their mailbox. Armed with an array of mixed media tools and craft papers we’ll make snail-themed cards and envelopes. Bring an address for your artwork and we’ll provide the stamp. Drop by the art studio for this all-ages workshop that is sure to brighten someone’s day.

Meet our education staff and learn more about the upcoming spring class session.

   

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden.

Yevgeniya Kaganovich and her student assistants will take up residence in the studio all afternoon to make the next “planting” of grow, Kaganovich’s durational installation. grow is a system of interconnected plant-like forms simulating a self-propagating organism in multiple stages of development. Created from a singular material, recycled plastic bags, the system grows over time, its growth rate determined by the number of bags accumulated in our official recycling bin. Drop in to watch or participate as Kaganovich fuses the layers of plastic to create a surface similar to leather or skin, molds the skin into plant-like volumes, stuffs the volumes with more bags, and connects the forms with plastic bag “thread.” Tasks include cutting sheets and strips; fusing sheets and tubes; sewing bulb forms and connecting them to bases; crocheting tubes and necks; stuffing stalks; and assembling the plants.

   

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden.

Yevgeniya Kaganovich and her student assistants will take up residence in the studio all afternoon to make the next “planting” of grow, Kaganovich’s durational installation. grow is a system of interconnected plant-like forms simulating a self-propagating organism in multiple stages of development. Created from a singular material, recycled plastic bags, the system grows over time, its growth rate determined by the number of bags accumulated in our official recycling bin. Drop in to watch or participate as Kaganovich fuses the layers of plastic to create a surface similar to leather or skin, molds the skin into plant-like volumes, stuffs the volumes with more bags, and connects the forms with plastic bag “thread.” Tasks include cutting sheets and strips; fusing sheets and tubes; sewing bulb forms and connecting them to bases; crocheting tubes and necks; stuffing stalks; and assembling the plants.

   

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden.

Yevgeniya Kaganovich and her student assistants will take up residence in the studio all afternoon to make the next “planting” of grow, Kaganovich’s durational installation. grow is a system of interconnected plant-like forms simulating a self-propagating organism in multiple stages of development. Created from a singular material, recycled plastic bags, the system grows over time, its growth rate determined by the number of bags accumulated in our official recycling bin. Drop in to watch or participate as Kaganovich fuses the layers of plastic to create a surface similar to leather or skin, molds the skin into plant-like volumes, stuffs the volumes with more bags, and connects the forms with plastic bag “thread.” Tasks include cutting sheets and strips; fusing sheets and tubes; sewing bulb forms and connecting them to bases; crocheting tubes and necks; stuffing stalks; and assembling the plants.

   

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden.

Yevgeniya Kaganovich and her student assistants will take up residence in the studio all afternoon to make the next “planting” of grow, Kaganovich’s durational installation. grow is a system of interconnected plant-like forms simulating a self-propagating organism in multiple stages of development. Created from a singular material, recycled plastic bags, the system grows over time, its growth rate determined by the number of bags accumulated in our official recycling bin. Drop in to watch or participate as Kaganovich fuses the layers of plastic to create a surface similar to leather or skin, molds the skin into plant-like volumes, stuffs the volumes with more bags, and connects the forms with plastic bag “thread.” Tasks include cutting sheets and strips; fusing sheets and tubes; sewing bulb forms and connecting them to bases; crocheting tubes and necks; stuffing stalks; and assembling the plants.

Register online now.

Fee: $35/$30 members – includes an autographed copy of The Good House, refreshments and admission to the sculpture garden. Or sign up for our Winter Readings Package, which includes both the Cynthia Morris reading and the Ann Leary reading at the low price of $60/$50 members.

We are excited to welcome author Ann Leary to Lynden for one of the very first events supporting her novel The Good House (which will be available January 15, 2013). The Good House is the story of Hildy Good, businesswoman, mother, grandmother and lifelong New England townie, whose grown daughter is convinced she has a drinking problem and insists she check into rehab. The book is in part an account of a woman who feels lonely and unjustly persecuted by those who are dearest to her, but it’s also about the community in which she grew up – a craggy New England seacoast town that harbors many secrets from the past and the present.

New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt says "Leary’s genius is to give us a true original: Hildy, a not-so-recovering alcoholic/realtor who crashlands among a colorful cast of New England neighbors, but Leary also says a great deal about the houses we choose to live, the people we’re compelled to love, and the addictions we don’t want to give up. So alive, I swear the pages of this wickedly funny and moving novel are breathing.”

Ann Leary is the author of the memoir An Innocent, A Broad and the novels Outtakes From a Marriage and The Good House. She has written fiction and nonfiction for various magazines and is a co-host of the NPR weekly radio show Hash Hags. Ann tries to compete in equestrian sports and is a volunteer EMT. She is married to actor/comedian/ice farmer Denis Leary. They live on a small farm in Connecticut with their two children and an assortment of pets. For more info, visit her website, http://annleary.com.

Co-sponsored by Boswell Books.

Free to members or with admission to the sculpture garden. Younger children should work with an adult.

Make a drop spindle, a traditional tool we’ll adapt to create a spool of newspaper yarn. Newspaper yarn can be used to weave anything from rugs, to netting throws, to paper jewelry. We’ll help you make the yarn--what you make with it is up to your imagination. Email us pictures of your post-workshop projects and post them on our Facebook page.

Registration for this workshop is now closed. Please make sure to sign up for our e-list to receive notification regarding upcoming workshops.

Fee: $15/$10 members (all materials included)

Registration: Space is limited, advance registration encouraged. If you prefer not to pay online, download a registration form here.

Cure your cabin fever by designing a candle mold that can be used to transform candle stubs and wax drippings into an attractive new candle. Using simple slab-building techniques, we will design a low-relief pillar candle in clay, make plaster candle molds from these forms, and cast new candles using recycled wax. Take home a candle of your own design and a mold that can be reused to recyce spent candles. No previous experience needed. We'll supply you with an apron, but please wear clothes suitable for art making.