Our Story

Trey Wentworth mentoring Hazel Harris at The Poetry Studio

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.

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.

The after-school programs 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. His background in Art History provides a range of options for the students to explore.

Please visit the appropriate pages on this site for information about Studio faculty, the after school programs and summer workshops, 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 appointed volume contains over 100 poems and many pages featuring illustration and decorative design. Another World also provides the opportunity to discover the nurturing environment created at The Poetry Studio that inspires students to express their extraordinary encounters with their inner and outer worlds. It’s available for purchase online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or local bookstores.