The Hopscotch House, Louisville, KY. Photo: Kentucky Foundation for Women.
I’ve been asked many times the last few months what can be done to support Hopscotch. If we’re able to save it, and it is a very long road ahead, it will require extensive renovations.
What are your ideas for how Hopscotch could be used? Crafts, music, writing? Pottery studios? Weaving?
What would you like to see?
And what are your ideas for future programs at Hopscotch House?
I've been asked many times the last few months what can be done to support Hopscotch. What are your ideas for how Hopscotch could be used?
Please leave your comments below.
I recommend turning it into a mixed arts residency, along the lines of Hedgebrook or Civitella or (a place I had a residency at and loved): the Dora Maar House in Menerbes, France. Dora Maar House accepts applications in literature, visual art, and scholarship and provides fellowships to those selected for 2 or 3 week residencies. The artists don’t have to be working on things related to the place (that is, France, or in this case, Kentuccky), although they can be. There might even be a focus on Southern Studies, perhaps, which would be cool. At any rate, attendees would work, commune with other artists and scholars, present their work, collaborate, and just enjoy the rich atmosphere. It would be great to have some invited Kentucky writers/artists/ and some that are from elsewhere so that there can be more mingling among them. All of this requires money, of course . . . as a poet living in a small town in Kentucky, I would welcome the opportunity to commune with artists and writers from all over in such a setting. I could also see something along the lines of The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, which has seminars and workshops that attendees pay for, including things such as Iyengar yoga and self-help and healing workshops. I have done those and paid for them and LOVED it. These are some scattered thoughts from a busy morning but I hope they are helpful.
How about naming it after Will Iovenko, and maybe helping people with mental illness or drug addiction?
thanks for opening this up, Sallie. I agree with someone above, that artist residency would be a great component. Minimum 1 month, and up to 1 year. I don’t know how many artists could be accommodated at the same time, but a few is better than solo.
Hugo House in Seattle (https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tFP1zeszDExLamyMDRgtFIxqDA1sTQwS0xOMUg2NDE0sjC3MqgwtjAzTkm2NDAxTEo1TzHyEsooTc9XyMgvLU5VKE5NLCnJSQUAzHoVJw&q=hugo+house+seattle&oq=hugo+house+seattle&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgBEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyDQgBEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBggDEEUYQDINCAQQABiGAxiABBiKBTIKCAUQABiABBiiBDIKCAYQABiABBiiBDIKCAcQABiABBiiBNIBCTE0Njg3ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) is a good model for literary activities in a city. Bringing different groups of teachers out for a weekend (every weekend?) of Continuing Ed and their own writing experience would be a great investment in them and their students.
I hope I will see you soon, and we can talk about this in person!
I think it should be full time artists residency space along the lines of Hedgebrook. So many models to choose from.
I would love to see it used sometimes for craft, pottery, painting, photography, and weaving classes. I would be willing to pay to attend and have part of the money used to update Hopscotch house. I often attend events where there is an instructor who guides the attendees to create “art”. I’ve never been to Hopscotch House, but would love to see it sometime. I live on the other side of the land, and would love to walk through to enjoy, but I know that’s not possible. But having classes related to art would be a great thing! (since I’ve never been there, I don’t know the logistics of parking, so this may not be doable). Thanks for caring enough to save this wonderful part of history, Sally.