For the first time in its twelve-year history, the International Conference on Virginia Woolf will be held on the west coast of the United States. The event is coming to Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park from June 6-9.
A variety of activities are planned to celebrate the work of this English modernist author. In addition to panel discussions, readings, and paper presentations, there will be two art shows presented in homage to Woolf.
One, curated by Elisa Baker of the Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County, features a dual hanging of the work of contemporary artists in homage to Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury group with an array of collectors? pieces from the Bloomsbury group themselves.
This show will hang in the University Art Gallery at Sonoma State University from June 6-28, with an opening reception planned to kick off the first evening of the conference, June 6, from 6-8 p.m.
The second exhibit is travelling from the East Coast, where it was recently shown in the Boston Public Library. Curated by Krystyna Colburn, "Contexts, Books and Ephemera" will display first editions, manuscripts, magazine articles, and cover art from Woolf and the Bloomsbury group.
It will be on display in the University Library Art Gallery at the Schulz Information Center from June 6-August 2, with a reception on Friday, June 7, 6-8 p.m. Both art shows and their receptions are free and open to the public.
Evening entertainment will present an assortment of responses to the work of Virginia Woolf. On Thursday, June 6, beloved Sonoma County singer/musician Sarah Baker will present the world premiere of Inneracts: a musical essay in tribute to Virginia Woolf . This will be a multimedia event featuring original music composed by Sarah Baker.
On Friday, June 7, New York actor Tod Randolph will perform a dramatic reading of Woolf?s famous essay, A Room of One?s Own. Saturday night will see the premiere of a dance performance based on the short story "A Haunted House" along with other Woolf tributes performed by the Bay Area?s Stephen Pelton Dance Theater. Evening events will be in Person?s Theater, Sonoma State University. Tickets are $10 each, available at the door.
Press Democrat columnist Susan Swartz has already issued the call for a spring reading assignment: read one piece by Virginia Woolf before June. Then come and join over 300 readers, scholars and Woolf fans from around the world who will inhabit the campus of Sonoma State during the first week in June.
For more information, call conference headquarters at (707) 664-2882 or visit the web page at www.woolfconference.com
