The Inklings—Creativity, Collaboration, and Community

February 11-12, 2022

The Inklings was a literary discussion group that met between the 1930s and the 1950s. C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the other writers would meet weekly at a pub in Oxford, England called the Eagle and the Child. Many of the famous works of literature we know them for today were a result of these friends reading and critiquing each other’s early manuscripts.

Our Square Halo Conference was inspired by this robust fellowship. Our time together reflected on their creativity, collaboration, and community, while also providing creative and collaborative experiences throughout the event.

Featured contributors to this sold out event included:

  • Bonnie Bosso, director for Servant Stage and Lancaster Academy for the Performing Arts, as well as Theatre Production & Public Relations Manager for Franklin & Marshall College

  • Dan Deal and Andrew Zahn, of the Reverie Actor’s Company 

  • Graham Dennis, Dean of Students and Secondary School Omnibus teacher, Veritas Academy

  • Matthew Dickerson, author of Ents, Elves, and Eriador: The Environmental Vision of JRR Tolkien

  • Douglas McKelvey, author of Every Moment Holy 

  • Andrew Peterson, singer-songwriter and author of The Wingfeather Saga

  • Christine Perrin, poet and author of Bright Mirror

  • Christie Purifoy, author of Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace

  • Shawn Smucker, author of The Day the Angels Fell 

  • Donald T. Williams, author of Deeper Magic: The Theology Behind the Writings of C.S.Lewis 

The conference was held in The Trust Performing Arts Center (37 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA), in collaboration with The Trust Performing Arts Center, The Row House, and Reverie Actor’s Company.

ART EXHIBITION

Part of the event included an exhibition of Inklings-inspired art in the Square Halo Gallery.

THEATER

A dramatic reading of Tolkien’s classic work, “Leaf By Niggle,” was presented by two members of the Reverie Actor’s Company at three separate times during the conference so that all attendees had an opportunity to experience it.

BOOK TABLE

As an added bonus, Hearts & Minds Bookstore had one of their incomparable book tables on site to enjoy throughout the conference.

FOOD

Breakfast and lunch on was included on Saturday as well as coffee and snacks. Saturday’s dinner is on your own. Although there are a variety of wonderful restaurants in walking distance, conference attendees are STRONGLY URGED to make reservations IN ADVANCE to be sure that dinner can be enjoyed quickly enough to be able to get back for the closing concert.

SCHEDULE
FRIDAY | February 11, 2022

5:00-7:00pm — Registration
7:00 pm — The Row House Forum: Matthew Dickerson
Creativity, Art, Mortality, and the Fall (in the Works of J.R.R.Tolkien)
9:00pm — Pub Night/Book Release Party for Wild Things & Castles in the Sky 

SATURDAY | February 12, 2022
8:00 — Breakfast (provided)
8:45 — Plenary Session 1: 
The Inklings Collaborate from the Grave: Taliessin in Williams and Williams | Donald T. Williams

10:00 — Breakout Session 1
Hospitality in Middle-Earth: The Welcoming of Strangers Versus the Building of Walls | Matthew Dickerson
 Tolkien the Poet | Christine Perrin
The Man Born to Be King drama workshop | Bonnie Bosso
Leaf by Niggle dramatic reading | Reverie Actor’s Company

11:15 — LUNCH | Box Lunch (provided)

12:15 — Breakout Session 2
Writer’s Workshop | Shawn Smucker
Leaf by Niggle dramatic reading | Reverie Actor’s Company
The Ransom Space Trilogy | Graham Dennis
Placemaking in Narnia | Christie Purifoy

1-2:45 Afternoon Activities 
Afternoon Reading and Tea Gathering | Board Room
Pop-up Printmaking Workshop with Ned Bustard | Trust Foyer
Gallery Art Talk with Katie Joy Nellis | Square Halo Gallery
Leaf by Niggle dramatic reading by the Reverie Actor’s Company | Black Box Theater
About Fantasy Literature with Matthew Dickerson

3:00 — Plenary Session 2:
Adorning the Dark | Andrew Peterson

4:00 — Breakout Session 3
The Glyphic Tolkien: The Illustrated Legacy of Middle Earth | John Hendrix
Inklings & Friends: Dorothy Sayers and the Other Inklings | Hannah Eagleson
Literature in the Service of Christian Wisdom: Some Lewisian Perspectives | Donald T. Williams 
Collaborating on Every Moment Holy | Douglas McKelvey and Ned Bustard

5:15 — DINNER (on your own at local restaurants)

7:00 — Plenary Session 3 Failed Collaboration?  Not so Fast!  A Second Look at Tolkien’s Response to Narnia with Donald T. Williams

8:15 — Conference closes with CONCERT | Andrew Peterson

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