Haines chosen for creative artists’ fellowship

Lise Haines, senior writer-in-residence in the Writing, Literature and Publishing Department, has been awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) for four weeks beginning in late September.

Located near Sweet Briar College in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in rural Virginia, Haines will be among 25 Fellows focusing on their own creative projects at this working retreat for visual artists, writers, and composers.

Haines, who held a residency this summer at the Ragdale nonprofit artist community in Illinois, will continue working on a novel at VCCA.

“I’m honored to be a Fellow at VCCA this fall, as I’ve heard wonderful things from so many writers,” she said. “I am profoundly grateful for the support that Emerson is providing.”

Each artist has a comfortable private bedroom, private studio, and three meals a day. Beyond the breakfast hour, there are no schedules or obligations. This distraction-free atmosphere, as well as the energy that results from having artists, writers, and composers gathered in one place, enables the participants to be highly productive.

Founded in 1971 as a nonprofit organization, the VCCA is one of the nation’s largest year-round artist communities and serves more than 350 artists a year. VCCA Fellows have received worldwide attention through publications, exhibitions, compositions, performances, and major awards and accolades, including MacArthur grants, Pulitzer Prizes, Guggenheim fellowships, and Academy Award nominations.