The mission of Write On, Door County is to inspire readers and writers of all ages at all stages. Our 59-acre campus on Wisconsin's northeast peninsula is a place of inspiration, encouragement, and support. In addition to our residency program, we provide programs throughout the county as well as online.
Write On, Door County is pleased to offer the Dick Scuglik Memorial Residency and Fellowship to a poet or other writer with demonstrated ability and interest in ekphrastic writing. The residency is awarded annually in mid-June. The program honors the memory of Dick Scuglik and his passion for painting and books.
The selected writer will be paired with a Door County visual artist. The artist and writer will share work with each other. Each will create new work in response to other’s work prior to the start of the residency. During the residency, both writer and artist will participate in a public event at which the new work is shared, along with a conversation about the creative process. The artist for the 2025 Fellowship is Marc Anderson.
While ekphrastic writing is most common in poetry, Write On welcomes applications from all genres, provided the work sample submitted fits the classification of ekphrasis.
A small fund is available to assist the writer with travel expenses related to the residency.
Eligibility Requirements
· The contest is open to both published and unpublished writers.
· Writers must be at least 21 years of age.
· Writers may be currently enrolled in a graduate writing program.
· Writers must have demonstrated ability and interest in ekphrasis.
· Please see below for additional expectations.
Submission Requirements
· Submit 10-15 pages of a work sample that demonstrates your ekphrastic writing. Excerpts of longer works are acceptable.
· Include a statement of interest in ekphrastic writing, at least one paragraph but no more than three paragraphs.
· Include a list of publications, if any, highlighting published exphrastic writing.
· Include a one-paragraph biographical statement.
DEADLINE: January 12, 2025.
ENTRY FEE: $40.00
RESIDENCY DATES: Sunday, June 8 through Sunday, June 15, 2025.
THE 2025 PROGRAM
Marc was born and raised in central Wisconsin. He began working as a professional artist while studying illustration at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, first as a caricature artist then as a freelance illustrator. The drawing skills and quick decision-making required in those fields would become foundational as he waded into fine art painting. Continuing down this career path, Marc discovered the world of plein air painting and, in 2021, was included in the “Top Ten Artists to Collect Now” special feature in Plein Air Magazine. His work has received numerous national awards. In 2023, Marc, and his wife Anna, open M. Anderson Gallery in Sturgeon Bay’s Steel Bridge Creative District.
About the Public Program
The writer selected for the program is expected to engage with Marc in the creation of new work prior to the residency. The artist and writer will present a public program intended to be informal and engaging with the general public, including writers, visual artists, and appreciators of both art forms. The public program is not a formal lecture or presentation, but a casual event meant to engage and inspire. The selected writer is not expected to have a background in academia or formal presentations but is expected to be able to convey a passion for ekphrasis as well as collaborative creation.
Does your writing group need a getaway to inspire creativity? Could your book club use a retreat to determine your next line-up of readings? At various times of the year, the Write On residence is available to writers and readers outside of the residency program. This arrangement is ideal for writing groups or book clubs who could benefit from a retreat as well as literary arts administrators who need a get-away to focus on a long-term project. Three bedrooms with queen-sized beds are available, making it a lovely option for couples who want to read or write together. This arrangement is also perfect for writers who prefer not to provide a community engagement project as part of our standard residency application.
Writer/Reader Retreats require completion of our retreat application form. Qualified applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The minimum suggested donation for the retreat is $175/night with a three-night minimum. No housekeeping or meal services are provided.
Retreats are available in the months of March, September, and November.