By Victoria Manda
The sun beams over the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, just in time for the fellows and friends of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project [WPWP] to settle into their peaceful escape. Guests of the 2025 Fall Retreat all gathered in the morning for a day of writing, rest, and renewal. As the writers, educators, and friends arrived, they were greeted with thoughtfully prepared materials: writing prompts, books, pens and pencils, snacks, yoga mats, and a welcome card outlining their day.
The gorgeous scenery provided a fitting backdrop for writing and reflection. Participants were invited to walk around the gardens, experience the moment, and feel at ease. Among the garden’s features was an art installation by Patrick Shearn, centered on the theme of Momentum. The whirling flow of the colors inspired writers to consider the movement of our own busy minds and pencils.
After some time in the gardens, everyone gathered in the classroom for lunch and conversation. The group took this time to get to know one another and soak in the supportive community that WPWP cultivates. Fellows and friends reflected on how the retreat invited calm into their otherwise busy lives. One WPWP fellows and Pittsburgh school teacher reflected,
“Any time spent outdoors, especially in a setting as magical as the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, brings a perfect opportunity to wonder, reflect, and write. That day spent with WPWP fellows was a beautiful reminder that as I fuel myself creatively, I am better able to exude a much-needed calm energy to my own classroom space to become a better teacher, listener, and facilitator.”
Following lunch, poet and educator Jill Khoury (2011 WPWP Fellow) led a workshop titled What is Movement? Reflections on Momentum. Pencils raced, full of inspiration drawn from the beauty of the gardens. Khoury remarked,
“It was a full-circle moment to be able to return for the retreat and inspire other teachers as I had once been inspired. We talked about what moves us. What keeps our creative energy moving forward even in times when we feel uncertain or overburdened. We listened with our whole bodies to what the art had to tell us.”
Participants were then guided through a series of reflective prompts that encouraged them to engage with momentum– “the quiet force that carries us through seasons of growth, change, and creativity,” said WPWP Director Dr. Khirsten L. Scott. The group took another walk through the gardens, using Shearn’s installation as a lens for writing about movement, creativity, and renewal.
The day concluded with a communal sharing circle, where participants offered a word, phrase, or a full piece inspired by the day’s experiences. This final moment of exchange solidified the spirit of care and community that defines the WPWP. As the sun warmed the faces of the writers, each left with powerful ideas and renewed momentum to carry into their classrooms, communities, and creative lives.
Edited by Dr. Khirsten L. Scott and Junior Gonzalez.
Victoria Manda is an undergraduate student studying English at the University of Pittsburgh and an intern with the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project. She is an avid reader, creative writer, and devoted volleyball player and coach. When she isn’t working with WPWP or tucked away in the library, she can often be found at the Pittsburgh Elite Volleyball Association, coaching young girls in the sport she loves most. She also enjoys writing humorous stories and dreams of one day writing for television or film.