A Room of One’s Own in KY

By Constance Alexander
Murray Ledger
June 7, 2005

Sherry Hurley was born in Marshall County , grew up on Jonathan Creek , went to University of Kentucky , and then lived and worked in Lexington until September 2001. That’s when she was hired by the Kentucky Foundation for Women to manage Hopscotch House, a retreat and residency center for artists near Louisville , Ky.

Less than 5 miles from upscale shopping malls, trendy restaurants and not one but two Starbucks, Hopscotch House sits on a 400-acre spread a few miles off the Gene Snyder Expressway. Though real estate in the area is booming -- Mc-mansions springing up like designer dandelions – Hopscotch House is magically outside of the fray. Rolling hills and breathtaking woodlands are the most obvious features of the rustic landscape, while smaller details – like lush wineberry bushes that reach their peak near the 4th of July – become noticeable once a visitor is acquainted with the terrain.

For Sherry Hurley, moving to the grounds of Hopscotch House was like being home again. “I feel like I’ve come full circle,” she says. “Living here, being in the country inspires me.”

A major part of Sherry’s job is to manage facilities that include a sprawling renovated farmhouse that dates back to 1848, as well as barns, out buildings and artists’ studios. In spite of plenty of practical tasks to attend to each day, Sherry makes sure she takes time to enjoy the simple splendor of the bucolic setting.

“Lately, a lot of wild turkeys have been on the grounds,” she explains, “and I hear them and see them looking for mates. Just the other day,” she continues, “I spotted a hawk carrying a snake and, on one of the back farm lanes, I discovered a box turtle rolled over on its back.”

These are the same details of rural life that captivate the artists who come to stay at Hopscotch House to do their creative work. Since 1987, when Foundation benefactor Sallie Bingham made the place available for use by women writers and artists, Hopscotch House has hosted hundreds of women at various stages of their creative development.

Lynn Pruett, KFW grant recipient and author of the acclaimed novel Ruby River , prepared her manuscript for publication while at Hopscotch House. “I am so grateful,” Lynn remarked. “I could not have done this necessary work on deadline if I’d been at home. It was an incredibly focused and productive time.”

Liz Bussey Fentress, playwright and former executive director of Murray ’s Playhouse in the Park, has penned most of her recent creative work amidst the serenity of Hopscotch House, as has this columnist.

This summer, in an effort to broaden the reach of Kentucky Foundation for Women, Sherry Hurley is implementing a pilot program. She is inviting women artists who live in Kentucky to apply for one- or two-week residencies at Hopscotch House between July 5 – 20. A stipend of $400 per week will be offered on an as-needed basis for meals, transportation, childcare, replacement of lost wages, and artist supplies.

The deadline for applications is June 13. Artists of all proficiency levels are encouraged to apply in the following disciplines: performing, visual, literary or media arts.

“Artists do not have to be a Foundation grant recipient,” Sherry points out.  She goes on to mention that applicants are asked to describe their commitment to feminist art and social change, and to outline a work plan for their residency.

It was 1929 when Virginia Woolf asserted, “A woman must have money and a room ofher own if she is to write fiction.” Organizations like Kentucky Foundation for Women have embraced this concept and applied it to residencies at Hopscotch House. In the hope that more women from all regions of the state will take advantage of the amenities, Sherry Hurley encourages applicants who have had no prior contact with the Foundation to take the leap and send in a proposal.

“We’re looking for women of diverse ages, backgrounds, disciplines and experience levels” she says. “I particularly encourage women who are working on their first artistic efforts. We have the space and you bring the work. You can leave the other responsibilities at home.”

For more information about Hopscotch House summer residencies, call Sherry Hurley at 502-228-4875. Her email is sherry@kfw.org .

The complete text of Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” is available online at http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/w/woolf/virginia/w91r/

Read Main Street online at www.murrayledger.com. Contact the columnist directly at constancealexander@charter.net .