This post is the second in a series about the Granite State's sponsors of literacy. A sponsor of literacy (Deborah Brandt's term) is an individual, business, donor, volunteer, or organization that gives time, support, or expertise to other people's writing. Sponsors of poetry make possible, usually behind the scenes, writers' success. They're the under-sung heroes of poetry production.
Located in Exeter, NH, The Word Barn is the creation of Sarah and Benjamin Anderson, a husband-wife duo who've transformed their passion for writing and the arts into opportunity for others to learn, enjoy, and share as members of a community. Even a quick glance at the list of readings and concerts forthcoming at the Word Barn shows a dynamic event schedule with quite a few events already sold out. Along with one-time events and topical workshops, The Word Barn hosts "Time to Write," an ongoing workshop facilitated by Sarah Anderson and occasional guest writers where the community is invited to share work and practice invention prompts. The Word Barn is a true jewel of New Hampshire literary activity.
How long has The Word Barn been in operation?
We opened The Word Barn doors five years ago this coming April. So, in April of 2015. The first event in that space (aside from our kids’ birthday parties) was the inaugural event of my series, The Silo Series, and it was a reading consisting of six poets and one fiction writer. Each of them shared their work for under 10 minutes. My typical readings consist of three readers, each reading for 20 minutes.
The readings are by donation (no ticket required). Concerts, however, are ticketed events. We are proud to say that since its inception in 2015, The Word Barn has enjoyed a 90% sell-out rate – with most music events holding hefty waiting lists – and has been featured in publications ranging from The Boston Globe (Travel, cover story) to The Square magazine. Most recently, NH Chronicle came to film our 3rd Annual Holiday Family Story Hour to be featured as part of a holiday episode for next winter.
What would you call The Word Barn: an event space, forum, arts center, or something else?
We like to call it a gathering space.
What was the initial concept for The Word Barn: how did it come to be?
When my husband and I purchased our property in Exeter in July of 2013, we both had ideas for the second building on the property – what we now call The Word Barn. He envisioned a concert series, and I envisioned a reading series and/or writing workshops. Since our initial idea, we have hosted several other events, such as a fermentation workshop, an annual holiday story hour for children, and a series of food events featuring local notable chefs.
What’s your connection to New Hampshire? Are you and Ben lifelong residents of New Hampshire?
Neither one of us is originally from New Hampshire. I was born outside of Chicago and raised in the northwest corner of Connecticut. Ben was born and raised on the south shore of Nova Scotia. We met in Nova Scotia in 1998 (when we were 21). I was on summer vacation (my father had bought a summer home there when I was 11). We then had a long-distance relationship for six years.
In, 2000, Ben moved to NH. I was living in Boston and Ben was trying to find work in or around Boston. The closest job he found was in Wolfeboro, NH, where he ended up running The Great Waters Music Festival for 7 years. I had moved to Tilton, NH, in 2002 for my first full-time high school teaching job, and we were only an hour apart after all this distance. We got engaged and bought a house in Wakefield, NH, where we lived for 9 years, and had two children, now ages 13 and 9.
Ben was the president of The Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth, NH, for 12 years, which was the impetus for moving to Exeter, where we are now. We feel fortunately to have created a homestead of sorts (we raise chickens, bees, and we have raised pigs; we operate an Airbnb on our property next to The Word Barn). We love that our children are growing up surrounded by all of these artists and artistic events.
The pictures on your website look lovely. Could you describe the physical space of The Word Barn? Is The Word Barn part of a working farm?
The Word Barn is the original horse stable of the Raynes (Wiggin) Farm that we transformed into a gathering space. The Raynes (Wiggin) Farm was one of the original large area farms that once operated a highly successful cattle market on the property in the 1800s - using the river frontage as a town landing. Today, the original Raynes farmhouse and Word Barn exist on a portion of the original land, and is part of our backyard farm featuring bees, chickens and occasional pigs.
Did you purchase the site as it currently looks, or did you make renovations?
We made renovations such as adding two doors (for safety reasons) and a wooden deck. Also, Ben built a bar within the space, replacing a coat closet. Otherwise, we did not need to make many renovations to the house or the barn.
I see that you also offer lodgings. Could you describe those accommodations?
We run an Airbnb that is located adjacent to The Word Barn (same building).
How many people currently help with The Word Barn: is it just you and Ben or do you have employees or volunteers?
It's primarily our effort, but was have some wonderful volunteers who help us. Ben and his music partner Chris Hislop run Bright & Lyon Productions (concert series).
Approximately how many events do you sponsor annually?
We run more than 70 events a year.
How did the Silo Series come about?
Just as my husband hoped to run music events in our barn, I wanted to run literary events. I had attended several writing workshops and conferences over the years– for example, The Breadloaf Writers Conference, the NY Summer Writers Institute, the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College (where I earned my MFA) and the Twin Farms Writers Workshop. All of these experiences made me want to someday create a space of my own for such gatherings.
Who were the first poets invited to read at The Word Barn?
My first line-up of readers in The Silo Series: Jim Rioux, S. Stephanie, Jessica Purdy, Mark Decarteret, Tim Horvath, Maggie Dietz, Todd Hearon.
Who was the most recent poet who read at The Word Barn?
The most recent poets I had in the Silo Series were Mimi White and Ali Harville.
What most motivates you as a sponsor of the arts?
I am motivated by the joy I see others seem to experience as both readers and audience members.
You’ve hosted a real range of poets, from fairly local poets to writers living out-of-state. How do you find readers for your events: do they tend to approach you, or do you invite them?
It's a combination of both. Poets/fiction writers approach me and I approach them. Sometimes a friend will recommend a writer they know and love, and it starts that way.
In addition to hosting individual writers, you recently held an event to benefit the Exeter LitFest. What compelled you to hold this benefit event?
I had joined the original committee for organizing the Exeter LitFest, so it was a natural fit to offer our space as a venue for this wonderful spring event in Exeter. We just held a fundraiser for the LitFest to a sold-out audience, raising over $1,000 for the Exeter LitFest, which takes place in April.
On your bio, you mention writing poetry. Please describe your own poetry: what are your current or past projects? What’s your background in poetry?
I do write poetry. I write free verse, for the most part, and I have a manuscript (fifty five poems) that I am currently sending to publishers (my main focus right now). I am hoping to have a book in my hand one day. I have been writing poetry, really since I was twelve years old. I took a creative writing class my senior year at boarding school, which is when I decided I was going to be writing poetry no matter what. I was an English Major (with a concentration in Creative Writing) and a Visual Arts Major at Skidmore College, and several years later, I earned an MFA in Poetry Writing at the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.
I currently run workshops in The Word Barn (as well as hire others to run workshops). I'm going to be the Poetry Facilitator for the September 2020 Writers in the Round Weekend on Star Island, which I’m looking forward to.
It’s practically a truism that writers want to give readings since sharing one’s work often validates a writer’s efforts. What would you most want writers and their audience members to understand and appreciate about the endeavor of making a performance space available to them?
As my husband likes to say, The Word Barn is a passion project. We both love the experience of sharing artists – musicians and writers – with our audience members. We love that The Word Barn has truly become a listening room and a community gathering space. Our audience members understand the importance of listening attentively. Likewise, we have heard from performers – both musicians and poets/fiction writers, who have commented on how rewarding it is to play for such an audience in an intimate space.
What are your future plans for The Word Barn?
I plan to keep doing what we're doing! I absolutely love hosting readings and workshops, and I love the amazing concerts my husband hosts. I would like to offer more workshops in the future. I have ideas that I'm contemplating -- perhaps some free workshops, some day-long workshops (mini poetry festival), some more events for kids.
Finally, what advice would you give to a New Hampshire resident who writes poetry but has yet to share his or her work at a public reading?
I would say go for it! If you are not yet at the stage of wanting to read your work in public, consider attending a workshop, where you can share it with a small group first.
Theme: Your
life, your place, your poems--your
home has a rich poetic tradition. Add your voice to the chorus.
