For the final weeks of November our lodge hosted an artist retreat for Devon Kelley-Yurdin. While here Devon led our Monthly Community Conversation and facilitated their popular “Going For It” Event.

Devon says of their time: “The retreat allowed me to explore some new creative paths that I hadn’t walked down yet, but had been envisioning. Due to chronic pain developing three years ago I have needed to use my body differently to produce physical objects, but I’m also more recently interested in how I use my body as part of the work itself. The time helped move forward some of those explorations.

"Anytime I can remove myself from the routine of daily life it changes the rhythm of the creative process, moving creative impulses along at a faster rate than they can happen in regular life. I find myself more brave. And weirder, in the best ways. The Lodge was very comfortable, and it was fun to be on an active campus. It was also really lovely to use the pottery studio because it is a medium I don't normally work in or have much experience with. Having that exploration felt supportive of me trying new things in other areas, like playing around at night outside in the woods.

"Hosting 'Going For It' was so so fun. Downeast community shows up for things wholeheartedly; which is a beautiful representation of the place. I lived in Eastport when I first moved to Maine 10 years ago and maintain strong ties to the area. It was great to re-connect with folks through this meaningful and playful event and made me excited to come back to do more. 

"I honor the Passamaquoddy people for their stewardship of Kapskuk/Cobscook Bay for thousands of years, and I hold the utmost gratitude and reverence to be in relationship with those lands and waters. The region is very important to me and is a big part of what ultimately led me to the privilege of calling Maine my home. And thank you thank you to the Cobscook Institute for your cheerful support, flexibility, and encouragement. It was truly a pleasure.”

You can learn more about Devon Kelley-Yurdin on their website.