Programs at the Haig-Brown House
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Croquet & Tea - what a delightful way to spend a summer afternoon! On the lovely grounds of the Haig-Brown House, join us for some old fashioned fun. On the following Wednesdays: July 20, August 3 and August 17.
WRITER IN RESIDENCE
During the winter months, a writer sponsored by the Canada Council Writer in Residence program lives at Haig-Brown House. They hold workshops, act as an advisory resource for the local community and continue with their own projects while there.
For the 2010/2011 season, the Writer in Residence for the Haig-Brown House was Patricia Robertson, a published writer, creative writing instructor and former professional editor from Whitehorse, Yukon. Her first collection of short stories, City of Orphans, was shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Her most recent collection, The Goldfish Dancer: Stories and Novellas, was described by the National Post as ‘a work of insight and mastery’.
Robertson is an experienced writer in residence, and during her stay at the Haig-Brown House, she became involved in Campbell River Museum programming such as the newly instituted Philosopher’s Café. She also held a workshop on developing characters. Accustomed to working one-on-one with students, she was also on hand to assist would-be writers with their manuscripts. In addition, she participated in Campbell River’s ‘Words on the Water’.
As Roberston’s next novel is set in British Columbia, her stay here coincided with her need to research the Vancouver Island area. Another current project involves looking at a future world altered by climate change and resource wars; and she felt the appropriateness of writing on these subjects while in the former home of Haig-Brown who was renowned for his conservationist views.
