In the company of strangers

by Nicole Findlay

Katherine Arnup, director, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, has recently completed a fellowship from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Arnup was awarded the fellowship for a creative, non-fiction book focusing on death and dying she had submitted last summer.

“My book is based on my experiences of caring for my sister when she was dying of cancer, and for my parents during their illnesses and dying,” said Arnup. Although a work of non-fiction, it emphasizes the narrative – focusing on dialogue and character depictions rather than drawing from more traditional research.

Home to writers, composers and visual artists from across Canada, the US, and beyond, the centre provides room and board, individual studios and perhaps more importantly an opportunity for reflection to each of its fellows.

“It was an amazing experience, being free to write, think, read, all day,” said Arnup. “I loved being with other artists and writers – even when we were just concentrating on our own work.”

Although only there for a month, Arnup made remarkable headway into her work – producing 75 revised and edited pages. She also gave a reading to the community of artists, at the end of her stay.

This month, Arnup will be embarking on a second fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center. She returns to FASS from a year-long sabbatical in July.