(An Invitation) Arc+Craft with Stephen Jenkinson - Nov 16-20th, 2025

An Exploration of Creativity and Culture Work - Hosted by Kimberly Anne Johnson and Tad Hargrave in New Mexico

Greetings,

Well, you stick around long enough and you get a heads up on things that you might not otherwise hear about.

I am thrilled to invite you to Arc + Craft: An Exploration of Creativity and Culture Making.

One of the most formative experiences of my life was attending the Orphan Wisdom School from 2014 - 2022 run by Stephen Jenkinson and his wife Nathalie Roy (as well as other events with them in other places).

It was the first time in my life I saw real, living, human culture practiced up-close. I’d seen some at a distance. I’d read about it. But I’d never seen and been a part of an honest attempt at it.

It occurred to myself and Kimberly Anne Johnson that we might not be the only ones who would like to hear Stephen’s reflections on his decades in the trenches doing what we might loosely call ‘culture work’.

And from that, an event has emerged: Arc+Craft.

I’ll be MCing the thing.

Kimberly will be interviewing Stephen on the stage as he shares his candid reflections on why he does the work he does the way he does it.

You’re among the first to receive this announcement.

And since you follow a Substack On Culture Work then my guess is this might just be up your alley.

In less than two weeks, it will go out to the entire Orphan Wisdom list.

Below is an invitation, beautifully written by Kimberly Anne Johnson.

- tad

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This gathering is years in the conceiving and conjuring. Last year was really touch-and-go with Stephen’s health and there was a sense of doors closing and less being possible.

With great fortune, some of the dense fog has lifted making a multi-day gathering possible.

Tad Hargrave and I have spoken about how we love hearing Stephen talk about craft and composition. Stephen has worked with wood, stone, music and words- and so many more mediums. We’ve also seen him work with people on their craft over the years, and it is some of the most potent magic.

We wanted to provide a forum where the alchemy can appear.

In August, Stephen’s long awaited book Matrimony: Ritual, Culture, and the Heart at Work (Sounds True) will make her appearance. We will use this text as a center point. You’ll be asked to read it and work it prior to the gathering. So your questions and longings will be influenced by what you’ve read, and we will weave those into our days together.

We have two other written, not-yet-published, works- The Rite of No More, and the Green Book: A Thinking Man’s Dance with Neurodegeneration – that we will make there way in, and you will get some first "glimpses."

There will be other surprises.

These gatherings are evocative, emergent, generative, devastating, multi-generational, time-traveling and unforgettable.

We will honor New Mexico and her people through a Feast.

This invitation probably would sound a little too cheerful for SJ’s liking. (or spunky, as he likes to describe me)

He would say something like:

It’s time to disseminate a sense of burden.
A critical mass of people in the room brings a degree of survivability to the times.

I’m saying: We need you for that critical mass.

Accommodations are simple, and almost all housing is shared. Single housing options are few and reserved for those with special needs. Reach out to Juli so that we can accommodate you!

The retreat location is beautiful, elemental and rustic. The land is stunning and powerful. Little to no cell phone service. Vast horizons. Red earth. Quiet starry nights.

Ghost Ranch will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner in a dining hall, shared with staff and other visitors. The meals are basic and can accommodate most dietary preferences. One night, we will share a catered feast with traditional New Mexican foods. We recommend bringing snacks and elements of nourishments that you know you need (e.g. protein bars) to supplement the simplicity of the meals.

There are a few non-residential spaces available also. Reach out to Juli to inquire juli@kimberlyannjohnson.com

REGISTRATION:

Secure your spot by sending a one-time payment of $2,500 USD here or by signing up for the payment plan (5 monthly payments of $500 USD) here.

Refund policy: $500 USD non-refundable deposit. Refunds due to unforeseen extenuating life circumstances available till September 30th. No refunds after September 30th 2025.

Upon signup, a member of our team will send you a welcome email within 24 hours (this is not an automated email).

We will be gathering to apprentice leadership, eloquence, elderhood, culture work, and alchemy.

What you can expect:

Overall, our intention is to craft a time together that is responsive to what’s happening in the room.

We have the bones of the thing but are leaving the rest of the details until we know who’s coming and then the final polishings until we are all together in the room.

A typical day will include:

- A two hour session with Stephen and Kimberly that will weave in questions arising during the days.
- A work session.
- Space to have deeper conversations about the nature and needs of culture work and get opinions from others with time in the trenches.
- A seat at the table for your biggest culture-making failures to feed something beautiful.
- An evening surprise.

Thank you for your interest and your patience.

Have courage!

Kimberly

You might also enjoy listening to:

On Culture Work: An Interview with Stephen Jenkinson The Costs and Curriculum of Being An Engaged Citizen In A Time of Trouble

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