Ghost Ranch, an education and retreat center of The Presbyterian Church (USA), grounds its life and program in reverence, hospitality for all people, and respect for creation. Located 65 miles northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, this spiritual retreat was given by Arthur and Phoebe Pack to the Presbyterian Church in 1955. For over fifty years the site has developed into has served as a nationally known study and conference center.
Ghost Ranch provides opportunities for those who value learning and see education as a means for individual and social transformation. Believing that true education engages both head and heart, their programs combine discussion and hands-on experiences to help participants expand their sense of self and world. One of these programs will be presented this summer by West Virginia storyteller and member of the Fayetteville Presbyterian Church, Karen Vuranch.
Throughout time storytelling has been an important part of the fabric of society. Everyone has the ability to be a storyteller. It requires no expensive equipment or physical strength. All it takes to be a storyteller is an open heart and an interested mind. Karen Vuranch, will share her expertise and teach the art of storytelling. Karen is uniquely qualified to teach traditional tales, performances of famous Americans and personal stories, performing as a storyteller for over 30 years. Her class will also include vocal and body techniques. The class will include ample opportunity for participants to perform. Karen’s courses are lively, interactive and engaging. Students will gain both an understanding of the art of storytelling and the opportunity to develop their own performance skills. However, this course is not only for those interested in performing, but also for those interested in writing stories. Please bring specific stories that you want to develop. Most all, bring a passion for learning.
Karen is known as a traditional storyteller and for her historical presentations. Using solid historical research, she creates characters that bring history to life. She has toured internationally with Coal Camp Memories. Based on oral history, it chronicles a woman’s experience in the Appalachian coal fields. Other performances bring important historical characters to life. These include author Pearl Buck; labor organizer Mother Jones; humanitarian Clara Barton, the First Lady of Food, Julia Child. She participated in the Nu Wa Storytelling Exchange to China in 2002, when 34 American storytellers visited the storytelling village of Gengcun. Karen has served as an Adjunct Faculty at Concord University for the past 18 years.
Karen is looking forward to her storytelling workshop at Ghost Ranch. “For years, I have heard about Ghost Ranch. I think the ambiance of the site will help people interested in learning storytelling.” Ghost Ranch stands proud as an ecumenical and interfaith education and retreat center of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For more than half a century, people have come for spiritual development, to discuss issues of peace and justice, to work together in creation care, to paint and write, to hike and ride horseback, to research globally renowned archeological and fossil quarries, to see where Georgia O’Keefe painted or simply to rest and renew their spirits. Karen’s workshop will be offered 07/25/2011 through 07/31/2011.