Inkberry creators open a new chapter for the literary-minded

The area’s array of cultural offerings has expanded with yet another venue in the downtown with the addition of a new space for Inkberry, a literary arts group.

Started last year by three Williams College alumni, the independent, nonprofit organization is dedicated to fostering the literary arts in and around Berkshire County through workshops geared toward writers of every level, and a reading series designed to promote local talent and to bring established writers to the area.

Inkberry seeks to strengthen connections between writing and life, while establishing a place where writers of all types may discover their voice.

The brainchild of Emily Banner, Rachel Barenblat and Sandy Ryan, the literary organization will open its doors to the public on Jan. 9 in the Empire Building at 59 Main St. in North Adams.

Although the area already boasts great museums and theater and dance festivals, the three felt a literary group was needed for those who have a passion for writing or reading, and they wanted to engage with others who share those interests.

“In many ways it was something that we had all longed for,” Banner said. “Since we are all writers, the idea of having a literary organization in the area was personally very appealing.”

Banner divides her time between her personal writing and her work for Inkberry. She is currently working on a fictional novel.

Barenblat, the former editor of The Women’s Times, is also a poet and writes essays and reviews. Her second book of poems is scheduled for publication this spring.

Ryan is primarily an essayist, specializing in creative non-fiction.

“We thought we were doing far more than just doing something to make ourselves happy — that we were actually serving a purpose,” Banner said.

Funded entirely by grants and private contributions, Inkberry was incorporated in October 2000, and began offering workshops and discussion groups last April. A reading series began last June.

Local writers have responded positively to the new organization, Banner said. Its first workshops were well attended, and readings have also been well received with an average of audience of between 30 and 40 people.

Until now, the trio has been working out of borrowed space at the Main Street Stage, at MASS MoCA and at Papyri Books in North Adams. Throughout the month of December they have been busy readying the Main Street space for its Jan. 9th opening.

“It’s big and it’s two floors, so it’s going to hold pretty much everything,” Banner said. “It will have our administrative offices, space for classes so that we’ll be able to have two classes running concurrently in there, and it will have space for our readings.”

The first major event in the new location will be a reading by novelist Claire Messud on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Messud’s recent publication, The Hunters, was listed by the New York Times this past fall as being a notable book for 2001.

A reception to celebrate the downtown opening will follow the reading.

Upcoming winter offerings at Inkberry include a two-week workshop called “Flash Fiction,” taught by Alix Ohlin and an afternoon workshop entitled, “How to Get Published,” taught by Barenblat.

In a 10-week workshop, Ryan will teach “The Art of the Journal: From the Journal to the Personal Essay.” Attendees will learn about writing “flash” or “micro” fictional stories of 250 to 2000 words.

Daniel Wallace, the executive director of Images Cinema in Williamstown and a former professional chef, will lead a food book discussion group. The cooking lesson portion of the workshop will take place at Benchmark Kitchens in North Adams.

“It will be a combination book group and cooking tutorial,” Banner said.

A reading by novelist Eleanor Lipman and a rare poetry reading by songwriter Bernice Lewis are also planned for this winter.

The new Main Street space will also bring something new to Inkberry — a resource library, to be used by writers and readers alike.

“We’ll have some sofas and some comfy chairs and collections of books and periodicals on writing and the writing life,” Banner said. Resources on getting published, as well as a friendly environment where people can stop in and read, browse, or work on their writing will be available.

Hours for Inkberry will be posted on its Web site and in the store’s window. Starting hours will be Wednesday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m., or by appointment.

The Messud reading and the opening reception are free and open to the public, but donations are welcomed.