"Finding Memories, Building Stories," a workshop with Jo Radner

Memories will become stories in this workshop led by one of the nation’s top storytellers and folklorists.

Jo Radner, professor emerita at American University in Washington D.C., will lead a two-hour workshop, “Finding Memories, Building Stories,” on Saturday, June 22, from 1-3 pm. The cost is $10, and students must preregister by email to workshops@eastportartscenter.org or purchase a ticket below.

Our personal stories are important as they contain so many personal and community memories, Radner explained. “For thousands of years people have been communicating through stories. They carry the meanings in our lives. They’re the ways we account for our lives.”

During the workshop, Radner – who is a past president of the American Folklore Society and the National Storytelling Network – will help participants recall their memories, especially those that might not readily come to mind.

“I’ll be presenting people with different ways to trigger reminiscences, especially the ones that are lurking in the back of your mind. People are excited about remembering things they haven’t thought about for a while.”

The workshop will conclude with willing participants telling their stories in a group setting. People tell Radner previous workshops have been life-changing experiences.

“I’ve found that it’s an incredible experience for people,” Radner said. “At the end of the workshop we talk about what happens to a story when you retell it then give participants a chance to tell their stories. It’s very powerful.”

Radner’s workshop is part of a summer-long series – the Stories We Tell Festival -- presented by the Eastport Art Center in partnership with Sipayik Museum and The Quoddy Tides.  The festival spans five months and features stories told by nationally and internationally known storytellers.

The evening after the workshop, Radner kicks off festival performances with her story of the 1947 fire that decimated the Maine town of Brownfield. It will begin at 7 pm at EAC, and is free and open to the public.