Sean Murphy

MOVEABLE FEAST: MARTHA’S VINEYARD

The vision for this initiative, an informal—and growing—consortium of friends who all not only believe in building community, but recognize it’s never been more critical, has been a work-in-progress since the pre-Covid days. As we tentatively begin to travel and gather again, with fingers crossed and optimism that we’re eventually returning to a pre-pandemic world, albeit with necessary adjustments for our collective “new normal,” 1455 is thrilled to report that it’s on: Moveable Feast is happening.

It was wonderful to kick things off this fall, our first collaboration with the visionary V. Hansmann of Prospect Street (more on that here), and equally thrilling to travel across the border for our first collaboration with the Todos Santos Writing Workshop (more on that here). As a reminder, 1455’s Moveable Feast initiative enables us to partner with existing venues and organizations, providing opportunities for storytellers to find authentic space to create and connect.

This February it was in many ways a Back to the Future adventure, returning to the familiar confines of Martha’s Vineyard. For those unaware, the 1455 adventure would, in almost every sense, be inconceivable had I not first experienced the Noepe Center for Literary Arts, created by the visionary poet, artist, and literary citizen Justen Ahren. 

(A few words about what Justen started, and what he and I continue to build, today:

Not one to join any group that might have me as a member, I have nevertheless come to understand that going solo is all-advised. Indeed, when it comes to writing—and what happens before, during, and after a writer writes—the more involved, the merrier. For me, this revelation was facilitated by my first experience at a writing residency. I spent two weeks in early 2015 at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts, and it was, in almost every sense of the cliché, a game changer. In addition to being every bit as industrious as I’d hoped, I met fellow scribblers, all of whom I learned from (and laughed with) and more than a handful I count as dear friends, three years later.

This experience was super-sized when I accepted the generous offer to spend 2016 as the writer-in-residence at Noepe. What I experienced, every single day, was transformative.

Yes, validation is essential, and often in short supply. But serious writers (or writers who take their writing as seriously as their lives) need and, more importantly, want feedback: constructive criticism, ideally within an intimate environment wherein they can test-drive their prose and poems in progress, to see if it passes the “reading” test. There’s no quantifiable formula for this, but anyone who has read anything in front of other writers understands what does (or doesn’t) happen. (Hint: applause, cocktail-assisted approbation, and even the author’s own instincts are mostly unreliable. It’s in everyone’s eyes; it’s always in the eyes.)

And let’s not undersell the value of solidarity. What I felt, and heard expressed by visiting residents, was a type of energy, that distinctive vibe typically otherwise available only within academia. For those of us not surrounded by students and faculty on a regular basis (and, interestingly, even for those who are), opportunities to interact and learn from others are to be cherished.)

Justen and I have worked on building community and connecting artists individually and together, and with Moveable Feast, we are recruiting amazing individuals and organizations to find new ways for storytellers to have time and space to create and collaborate. Obviously, Martha’s Vineyard checks many boxes, but—as is the case with any ideal destination—the questions of where and when arise. Peak season (see: late spring through autumn) makes the island difficult and extremely expensive (plus, tourists), so offseason is optimal. Also, many establishments shut down during winter, so our MV Adventure became a bit of a needle in a haystack proposition.

Enter Lambert’s Cove.

From their website: Set on an eight-acre farm in West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard, Lambert’s Cove Inn is a boutique resort that offers overnight lodging, fine dining, a swimming pool, lawn games, complimentary bicycles and access to the most beautiful private beach on the island, Lambert’s Cove Beach. This enchanted property, that was originally a working farm, circa 1790, is a retreat for solo travelers, a romantic escape for couples, and a haven for digital nomads.

We look very forward to collaborating with the team at Lambert’s Cove to present some incredible opportunities for creativity and community in 2024. Stay tuned for more details, coming soon!

Is 1455’s Moveable Feast a fit for you? In 2023, who couldn’t benefit from the chance to workshop, network, and soak in the sensations of a beautiful locale? Time away from our routines and the rare opportunity to be amongst others who are serious about their craft is a gift, and naturally conducive to inspiration. Find out more about our partners and future plans, and how you can get involved, here.

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