Book Markers 10.19.17

Art and Writing at the Parrish

Creative fiction is the goal of Jennifer Senft’s next writing class at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, where students will tread the halls in search of artistic inspiration. “Enjoy friendly conversation and feedback in a small group environment,” the museum website pipes in.

The instructor’s background? “She’s got more degrees than a thermometer,” as Dr. Phil would say — a bachelor’s in cinemas studies from New York University, a master’s in psychology, also from N.Y.U., and an M.F.A. in writing and literature from Southampton College. She teaches women’s studies, humanities, and English at Suffolk Community College.

The classes will meet on two Fridays, Nov. 10 and 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $90, or $70 for museum members. You have two weeks to think about it; registration closes Nov. 3.

Schulman on Ashbery

John Ashbery, the eminent poet, a frequent visitor to Springs, where he had friends among the hamlet’s painters and fellow poets, died at the age of 90 last month in Hudson, N.Y. Now Canio’s Books in Sag Harbor will host another renowned poet, a Springs part-timer, Grace Schulman, in a reading of Ashbery’s work and a discussion of his life and influence. It starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Ms. Schulman, a professor of English at Baruch College and a recent winner of a Frost Medal from the Poetry Society of America for her distinguished lifetime achievements, will be joined by other poets: Star Black of the Stony Brook Southampton faculty, Marc Cohen, whose work has been anthologized in “The Best American Poetry” series, and Susan Baran.

Want more? “The Songs We Know Best: John Ashbery’s Early Life” by Karin Roffman came out over the summer.