May 13, 2010

LAVINIA WINTER FELLOWSHIP

THREE weeks of peace and creative freedom await the recipient of the second annual Lavinia Winter Fellowship which has opened for applications from writers [including playwrights].

The fellowship gives writers a chance to take time out from the usual domestic duties and to think about their writing.

The fellowship was conceived by Wairarapa writer and historian Gareth Winter to commemorate the memory of his daughter Lavinia who died four years ago.

The Winter family pay for three weeks accommodation at New Pacific Studio at Mt Bruce, 20 minutes north of Masterton.

New Pacific Studio is an international charitable organization which offers residencies to writers, artists and environmentalists.

It was started by Dr Kay Flavell in California in 2000 with the Pacific Writers Cottage which still runs alongside the Mt Bruce house.

To date over 100 artists have completed residencies at both locations.

The idea for the fellowship came when Mr Winter saw how much a stay at New Pacific Studio helped the artists who stayed there and he feels “It is a very appropriate way for us to continue Lavinia’s lifelong habit of helping people and to do it in a way she would appreciate." 

Writers who are interested in applying for the fellowship can e-mail Dr Flavell with a CV and examples of work to: newpacificstudio@xtra.co.nz – Deadline: 30 June 2010.