I’m writing today about Barcelona, where we’ll hold our summer 2009 residency, July 8-20. Consider this e-mail your invitation to join us! We hope you’ll come discover this gorgeous city with us, in the company of like-minded writers and friends.

While students are in class, your days will be free to fill exactly as you wish. If you like, you can sign up for an optional package that allows you to join MFA faculty, students and staff at all our highlight events, including a walking tour of the city’s Modernista architecture, a flamenco performance, a visit to the world-renowned Picasso Museum, and two shared meals featuring traditional Spanish tapas. (There’s more; visit the Alum page of the Spalding website, www.spalding.edu/mfa, for a detailed worksheet.)

Alums are also welcome to attend readings by students and faculty. Besides Sena and Kathleen, our Barcelona faculty includes Robin Lippincott and Kirby Gann (fiction), Debra Kang Dean (poetry), Nancy McCabe (CNF), Joyce McDonald (writing for children & young adults), and Sam Zalutsky (screenwriting and playwriting).

That said, you’ll have plenty of time to explore at your leisure. Barcelona is a walking city and fantastic for people-watching. The best approach is to let yourself get lost in the Medieval streets of the Barri Gótic. On other days, you can explore the colorful architectural fantasies in the Eixample district, set up camp on the beaches of Barceloneta, or take the funicular to the top of Mount Tibidabo for spectacular views of the city (and, I hear, a surreal old amusement park). The after-hours café and club culture begins late and goes till dawn, fueled by espresso, tapas, and the region’s famous cava sparkling wine.

If you’re feeling independent, you may even want to set off on your own to explore the coastal region beyond Barcelona, or the nearby wine country, for a day or two.

We’ll take a small number of PGRAs (click here for PGRA information) on this trip. Alums may also attend as residency-only students as space allows. For more information on all these options, and for a worksheet of costs, visit the MFA website at www.spalding.edu/mfa and click the “For MFA Alumni” button.

I’m really excited about Barcelona. It’s going to be a great trip, especially with our alums there as part of the group. Consider it a family reunion. Drop me a line if you’d like to talk it over or, better yet, if you’d like to reserve your slot!

With all my best,

 

Katy

kyocom@spalding.edu

Photo by Katy Yocom