2021 Rio Grande Workshop
Terrain, Transition, and Myth in the Borderlands
hosted by Fransisco Cantú, author of The Line Becomes A River, and sound artist Karima Walker
October 16 – 22, 2021 / Rio Grande + Big Bend National Park, Texas
An intimate seven-day workshop along North America’s most culturally and environmentally distinct waterway, focused on documenting movement, place, and identity
ABOUT Francisco + karima
Francisco Cantú is a writer, translator, and the author of The Line Becomes a River, winner of the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction. His writing and translations have been featured in The New Yorker, Best American Essays, and VQR, as well as on This American Life. A lifelong resident of the Southwest, he now lives in Tucson, where he coordinates the Field Studies in Writing Program at the University of Arizona, a residency that fosters work at the intersection of border justice and environmental issues. In addition to working with MFA students, Cantú has facilitated and co-taught workshops for writers of all ages at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Under The Volcano, and the UA Poetry Center. He is currently at work on a collection of essays interrogating landscape, identity, and myth.
Check out Francisco’s conversation with Christina Rivera Garza in Orion Magazine.
Francisco Cantú is a writer, translator, and the author of The Line Becomes a River, winner of the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction. His writing and translations have been featured in The New Yorker, Best American Essays, and VQR, as well as on This American Life. A lifelong resident of the Southwest, he now lives in Tucson, where he coordinates the Field Studies in Writing Program at the University of Arizona, a residency that fosters work at the intersection of border justice and environmental issues. In addition to working with MFA students, Cantú has facilitated and co-taught workshops for writers of all ages at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Under The Volcano, and the UA Poetry Center. He is currently at work on a collection of essays interrogating landscape, identity, and myth.
ABOUT THE Workshop
The Rio Grande is a body of water that literally defines the border between two nations, looming large in the consciousness of the United States, Mexico, and beyond. During our time on the river we will focus on moving beyond traditional approaches to writing by exploring interdisciplinary ways of being attentive to place. Through craft lectures and generative writing exercises led by Francisco Cantú, as well as deep listening activities and auditory meditations led by sound artist Karima Walker, participants will find new ways responding to the landscape, the histories it holds, and the narratives that flow from it.
Participants will receive a list of readings, audio pieces, and video to be reviewed before the course. Participants will be expected to prepare fully by reviewing all required items on the media list. The cohort will convene two times via Zoom in the month prior to meeting in Terlingua for the field experience.
The course is accredited through the University of Montana, and optional college credit is available for undergraduate and graduate students.
The course may also count toward continuing ed credits for professionals in some fields. Check with your organization or institution to see if the workshop can count toward your professional development.
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE
Evening of October 16 ORIENTATION + option to camp with Freeflow in Terlingua, Texas
October 17 – 22 RIVER-BASED FIELD EXPERIENCE on Boquillas Canyon of the Rio Grande
October 23 LAND-BASED FIELD EXPERIENCE + DECOMPRESSION in Terlingua / Big Bend National Park
IS THIS COURSE A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
- All writers and storytellers from all backgrounds are welcome. Established and emerging writers of all genres and skill levels are encouraged to apply.
- Journalists, audio storytellers, musicians, educators, nonprofit communicators, university writing students, science writers, creative writers, and environmental writers will find this workshop valuable.
- There is NO prerequisite of publication or formal writing education. Students should be compelled to learn about writing as a means of educating, expression, activism, or fostering connection to places and people.
COSTS + DEADLINES
We will begin reviewing the final round of applications on August 17, 2021.
Because we believe teachers and students need regenerative outdoor experiences more than most, Freeflow always extends a discount to contracted educators and enrolled students.
The program cost includes:
- daily writing instruction and one-on-one sessions with Francisco Cantú, Karima Walker, and Freeflow staff
- pre-course reader and course materials
- transportation between Terlingua, Texas and the Rio Grande
- delicious meals, snacks, beer, and wine on the trip
- professional, licensed river guides
- all taxes and access fees
- waterproof bags, lifejackets, and all specialized river and camp gear
Sleeping bags and pads are available for rent through our outfitting partner. We’re happy to arrange this for you – just let us know!
Guide gratuities are not included in the program cost. We strongly suggest giving your river guides some love, and we are happy to discuss norms for tipping – just ask.
Registration and payment deadline is July 1, 2021. Capacity on this course is 8 students, and we will close registration once the roster is full.
All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Payment plans are available. Payments can be made by mailing in an old-fashioned check, or by credit card or bank transfer via the link in your electronic invoice.
OUR PROFESSIONAL OUTFITTING PARTNER
Freeflow is partnering with our friends at Desert Sports of Terlingua, Texas. Incorporated in 1996 by Jim Carrico, former superintendent of Big Bend National Park and Mike Long, long-time river guide and mountain bike enthusiast, Desert Sports has made its home in the Chihuahuan Desert.
