CHANGE: A Virtual 2020 Waterston Desert Writing Prize Reception and Ceremony

In compliance with Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s current COVID-19 phased reopening schedule, the High Desert Museum and the Waterston Desert Writing Prize will hold the 2020 Prize awards ceremony virtually. The 2020 Prize winner, finalists, and the inaugural winner of the student desert writing prize will be honored at a ZOOM event at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, September 10 hosted by the Waterston Desert Writing Prize Board and the High Desert Museum.

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Virtual Celebration to Include Readings by Winners and Finalists

That virtual celebration will include readings, the awarding of the coveted Waterston Desert Writing Prize--a $2,500 cash award as well as a two week artist’s residency at PLAYA, Summer Lake, Oregon, and exciting announcements regarding future plans and the growth of the Prize. Environmental writers Robert Michael Pyle and Dahr Jamail, to have been featured in this year’s “A Desert Conversation” panel discussion, a staple of Prize festivities, will be invited to participate in 2021. The 2020 creative writing workshops will also be postponed.

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A Big Celebration in the Works for 2021!

What this means is a big celebration in 2021! The Waterston Desert Writing Prize looks forward to both celebrating the winner, finalists and student winner at the seventh annual Waterston Desert Writing Prize awards ceremonies in June, 2021, and retroactively honoring the 2020 winners and finalists.

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In the meantime, the miracles of social media will bring the September 10 ceremony to you live. An invitation to, and details about, that ZOOM gathering will be sent out closer to the date. Stay tuned!