Greetings from Wyoming!

Hello Everyone,

Well, here I am at writing residency #2 of winter 2010, the insanely gorgeous Jentel Center for the Arts in the Lower Piney Creek valley, under the watchful gaze of the Big Horn Mountains. I feel like I won the lottery. First wonderful Kimmel Nelson Harding and now this?!?! I'm in a dream--please don't pinch me!

My beloved Marcos drove me the 600 miles up here so I could spend a month writing, reading, napping, walking, getting grounded in the rural West as a writer, and hopefully getting close to finishing my collection of short stories. We arrived yesterday to a warm welcome, a breathtaking residency house for artists, and an idyllic studio. The residency, and all its buildings, were designed by the benefactor/founder, Neltje. I haven't had the chance to meet her yet, but it's clear from the design and interior decoration of the buildings that she is an artist of consummate skill and vision. I have taken and will continue to take photos while I'm here, but they can't begin to do the place justice. The colors, the textures, the quality of light, the use of geometry, the melding with place...I am just in love with this woman's style.

She and the other fine folks here have created a space that is simutaneously peaceful and energizing, which provides sanctuary from the elements yet keeps one connected to the outdoors, in a truly beautiful setting. I feel hugely honored and privileged to be here.

There are five other artists here: one other writer, Zachary, and four other artists, three visual and one sound, Gail, Fannie, Elizabeth and Yann. I'll definitely share more about them, including links to their websites, as we get to know each other better. They seem like fabulous, brilliant people so far.

We had a lovely time together last night eating a delicious supper prepared for us by program director Lynn Reeves (who accommodated both mine and another artists' dietary restrictions with a grace and culinary talent reminding me of my sister-in-law, Jenn) and a HUGE bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, which we all delightfully finished together. Everyone here, I think, is a coffee drinker, several are runners, all are gourmands. I look forward to sharing stories of this blossoming, albeit temporary, community of artists.

In the meantime, enjoy the photos. I'll work on getting more up soon, and more reflections as things progress.

I always appreciate snail mail as well as email. You can drop me a line at

Val Phillips
Jentel Center for the Arts
132 Lower Piney Creek Rd.
Banner, WY 82832