The Poetry Studio — Marlboro, Vermont

Located on beautiful grounds in Marlboro, Vermont, The Poetry Studio, founded in 1995 by Ann Gengarelly, invites imagination and discovery; a slowing down so that participants can listen to that part of themselves so often forgotten in their busy lives. As Hannah’s poem “Another World” so eloquently attests, students have the opportunity here to offer devoted attention; whether it is to the folded bud of a hibiscus, the nature of friendship, or to the grief from the loss of innocence.

Believing in the unique language of poetry to create bridges between inner landscapes and the world outside, Ann has witnessed students of all ages work toward a profound understanding of their own nature. Having worked as a poet-in-the-schools for over 30 years, she has seen how the writing and sharing of poetry is healing and transformational and profoundly believes that in a nurturing environment everyone can find a voice for what lies deep within. Terry Tempest Williams, in her memoir When Women Were Birds, writes about the healing nature of voice: What needs to be counted on to have a voice? Courage, Anger. Love. Something to say; someone to speak to; someone to listen. She concludes: In a voiced community we all flourish.

Jon-Eric Broadhurst at The Poetry Studio

Elias and Norah Pratt drawing at The Poetry Studio

The unfettered imagination of the poets is also represented in their drawings and decorative presentation of the poems. Visual thinking as part of the process of creation is integral to their work. The availability of drawing materials provides the opportunity for a multifaceted expression where word and image complement each other in the creation of a work of art. Not only illustration but decoration and design for presentation of the students’ writing help amplify the poetic language with compelling visual imagery.

Tess Bogart, Oh Special Angel

Linaea diMarino, Tears of Broken Glass and Forgotten Gods

Leah Sutton-Smith sewing book pages at The Poetry Studio

“Pinocchio,” Isabel McCarthy, image poem, written at age 14

The after-school programs at the Studio provide opportunities for students to draw, paint, create collage that accompanies their poetry. During summer workshops Tony Gengarelly facilitates this confluence of illustration, design and poetic expression. The students create handcrafted books to hold their poems and drawings. Replete with hard and soft covers, sewn pages, decorative borders and backgrounds, the books too become beautiful works of art.

“Sit Spot” on the grounds of The Poetry Studio

Isabelle Greenwalt at The Poetry Studio

Please visit the appropriate pages on this site for information about Studio faculty, the after school programs, summer workshops and adult classes, along with a glimpse of the students’ poetic and visual accomplishments already celebrated with exhibitions at community museums, colleges and local businesses. Of special interest is the recently published book, Another World (Luminare Press, 2021) that features poetry and art by young people at The Poetry Studio. Introduced with a foreword by Chard deNiord, Vermont Poet Laureate (2015-2919), this beautifully presented volume contains over 100 poems and many pages featuring illustration and decorative design. It’s available for purchase online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or local bookstores.