PORT TOWNSEND — The Quimper Story Guild is being formed to celebrate and cultivate the art of storytelling in Jefferson County.
An initial gathering is planned from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Port Townsend Library’s Charles Pink House, 1220 Lawrence St.
In the fall of 2005, Janet Kearsley and Perry Spring attended the annual Forest Storytelling Festival in Port Angeles and joined the sponsoring organization Story People of Clallam County directly thereafter.
Now 12 years later, with the support of many, they are launching a local guild for story enthusiasts and tellers.
Library Director Melody Eisler said she is delighted to host the community initiative and looks forward to the guild working with the library to host a Tellebration event next November.
The event will be part of the National Storytelling Networks’ efforts to “bring together celebrated storytellers from each area, to delight, captivate and mesmerize audiences with their stories,” as the network puts it on its website, www.storynet.org.
Story People of Clallam County (www.clallamstory people.org) has offered to provide initial support for the group’s development as well, organizers said.
The new group will welcome participation by those who are new to storytelling, and to those who have attended any of the local storytelling events throughout the years, including Trickster Tales, Deardorff fire circles and First Friday Storynight.
“Last fall, a few local storytelling enthusiasts began pondering the idea of establishing a community organization that would meet in an informal setting to support the diversity of our community developing the storytelling craft,” Kearsley said.
It is anticipated that Story Swaps will be the central element of guild gatherings and that the guild will organize public performances and workshops, some in partnership with other groups.
“Creativity and innovation are plentiful in our community. We intend for the guild’s activities to reflect our local culture and the aspirations of those who participate,” said Chris Gilbert, another guild organizer.
Jefferson County residents are encouraged to attend or convey their interest via email to Quimper StoryGuild@gmail.com, by calling 360-316-9600 or checking www.facebook.com/QuimperStoryGuild.
