J. Mae Barizo
is the author of several poetry collections including The Cumulus Effect (Four Way), Tender Machines (Tupelo), and the forthcoming Cloud Pantoums (Alice James) and a collection of essays on transdisciplinary and literary theory Becoming Hybrid (University of Michigan). Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Esquire, Ploughshares, LA Review of Books, and elsewhere. She teaches at The New School and lives in New York City.
Retreat
J. Mae Barizo
online
Saturday, May 2, 2026-Sunday, May 3, 2026
Registration is now closed for this class.
Memory Mapping
This is a class about reading, writing, playing, and thinking. Inspired by George Perec's Species of Spaces, this generative weekend workshop will explore how geography, memory, and our environments become entangled with who we are and the way we experience the world. We will look at flash fiction, poems, maps, and cartographies by writers like Perec, Italo Calvino, Anne Carson, and Aisha Sabatini Sloan to consider the poetics of place and investigate how language is used to reimagine and activate space, not just public places, but private, unmarked sites: literal and linguistic spaces that are being constantly reinvented. Bring a poem, photo or piece from an artist you love, and prepare to share work, learn, and transform.
Spring at Kaatsbaan
This workshop is part of Spring at Kaatsbaan, which is a preview of the Weekend Writers’ Retreat that A Public Space hosts annually in the fall at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in New York’s Hudson Valley. You can find more information about the fall retreat here. Spring at Kaatsbaan takes place in April and is a hybrid mini-retreat, with in-person workshops at Kaatsbaan as well as online offerings, including literary talks and a two-day generative workshop—all led by writers who are part of the fall retreat. Our hope is to give writers an introduction to and sneak peek into the fall retreat programming.
Saturday, May 2-Sunday, May 3
2 sessions
3:00-5:00pm ET
Online
Where are the master classes and workshops located?
Currently, all master classes and most workshops are held online on Zoom.
I registered but did not receive a link. What do I do?
Details for your class, including any reading assignments and the Zoom link, will be sent one week prior to the start date—to the email account connected to your registration. Please write .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you would like to be contacted at a different email, or with any additional questions.
Can I receive a recording of a past or upcoming workshop or class?
No. The only way to attend a master class or workshop is live.
Is closed captioning available?
Yes. Otter.ai live notes are available for all master classes held on Zoom, and on a case-by-case basis for workshops. (If you have registered for a workshop, please write .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to request closed captioning.) To view the notes, look for the red LIVE dropdown menu in the top left of your Zoom screen and select View Stream on Otter.ai.
Are scholarships available?
Scholarships are available for all master classes and afternoon talks. Scholarships are not currently offered for workshops. To apply, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the subject “Scholarship Application” and include 1) a short statement outlining your interest in this class, and how a scholarship would benefit you as a writer or a reader; and 2) a short bio. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.
The Master Class or workshop I want to join is sold out. Is there a waitlist?
Yes. Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to be added to the waitlist for an upcoming master class or workshop.
I signed up for a class but can't make it. Can I be refunded?
Full refunds are offered if requested at least two weeks prior to the start date of the class. After that, before the start date, we are able to offer a 50% refund. Refunds are not offered for day-of cancellations, or after a workshop has started. To cancel your registration, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
But I signed up for a class after the cut-off point for a full refund had passed. Can I still be eligible for a full refund?
No. Please be aware of the cancellation policy upon registration.
I'd like to transfer my registration to someone else. Is this possible?
Yes. That is very generous of you! Please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Does the registration fee for in-person workshops that are part of Spring at Kaatsbaan cover accommodation and/or travel to Kaatsbaan?
No. The registration fee for Spring at Kaatsbaan in-person workshops only covers the cost of attending the workshop. If you do not live locally, the Weekend Writers’ Retreat with A Public Space in the fall may be a better option for you.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your enrollment in an Academy class, please let us know as soon as possible. We can only offer full refunds if you cancel two weeks prior to the start of class. After that, before the start date of class, we can offer a 50% refund. We cannot refund day-of cancellations, and we cannot refund or partially refund tuition once the class has begun.