The black raspberries are just beginning to ripen, the hummingbirds are buzzing the meadows, and the Black-eyed Susans are in full burst. Yes – it’s Summer at Millay! Our August residents have become a tight group, and we love to see the bonds and conversations that form each month. Every group is different, of course, but what remains constant is the Millay magic that casts its spell on the six or seven writers, visual artists and composers who take up residence together. It’s a romantic notion, perhaps, the idea of magic; but believe us when we say it does seem alchemy has found its true home here in the house that Edna built.With us this month are:

Saad Haddad, Composing, Northridge, CA

Valentina Homem, Visual Arts; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Vt Hung, Fiction; New York, NY

Jen Hyde, Poetry; Brooklyn, NY

Charif Shanahan, Poetry; Bronx, NYJ

aye Schlesinger, Visual Arts; Ypsianti, MI

Wafting through the Main House are the smells of a poet’s lunch and the sounds of a composer meandering his fingers on the upright. You can catch a glimpse of the color coming even out of the cracks in the walls! Do we say all this to tempt you to join us? To see yourself here walking the poetry trails, returning to your studio to paint or draw or hum or write while Chef Donna readies the evening’s meal?

We do! Next application deadline is coming right up. October 1 and the portal is now open.

While we’re speaking of Fall, we’ve got a few events we’re eager to tell you about.

First up: Cave Canem Millay Fellows reading on September 13 in NYC. Poets Malika Booker and Keith Wilson, recipients of the Cave Canem residency to Millay Colony, will read. We are honored to partner with Cave Canem to provide support for poets of color. This reading is going to be AH-MAY-ZING! Seriously. Malika is coming in from the UK and Keith from Chicago. So get yourselves on down to DUMBO because this will be special. Co-sponsored by NYU’s Contemporary Literature Series. Free and open to the public.RSVP here.

Then on October 9th we’re hosting an alumni party in San Francisco. Calling all Savage Beauties in the Bay Area! Wine, beer, snacks, and great company at the home of alum Chad Lang in the Lower Haight district. RSVP to Caroline Crumpacker at director@millaycolony.org.

Fall will also bring School programs – an Arts Education showcase at the Colony is in the planning! NYC workshops, and of course new batches of artists in residence to call Millay home for a month.

Meantime, enjoy a few virtual windows into our space.Pictured clockwise starting upper left: studio windows open in the barn for the summer breeze; poet and Aug resident Jen Hyde finally wrests her umbrella away from Charlie; nooks and crannies of color in the Main House; wild black raspberries hanging in front of the Admin Office.