Join us for this interactive workshop for adults, children, and families.

Storyteller and artist Jill Oleskar, recipient of the 2025 Susanna Meyer award, will bring candles down by the Creek for a storytelling circle. There, people can share their stories of the Lower Esopus Creek from Saugerties to the Hudson River. They will then have the opportunity to draw any stories or memories that they have told, as well as any other Creek or River stories that come to mind. Each participant is invited to draw two pennants. One will be hung by the Creek for a while so the stories will be carried to the Creek by the Wind, while the second pennant will be taken home by participants. This workshop will run for roughly two and a half hours. .

Can’t make this workshop? Jill is offering a second workshop at the Saugerties Beach on Sunday, June 22 from 1-3PM

About Jill:

Jill Olesker has been telling stories and collecting oral histories for many years.

She deeply believes that it is crucial for people of all ages to connect imagination, nature, and art in our everyday lives.

She has also done community projects in nature centers, libraries, afterschool programs, and camps. Jill has worked extensively with children and teachers in schools, both on staff and freelancing.

Related work with adults has happened through various collaborative projects. The projects have taken place indoors, in Forests by Rivers, and on Mountainsides.

Currently, she is working on Water Stories, a project that is site specific. Living Creekside at the Mill in Saugerties inspires her, and invites her constant engagement. Water Stories is evolving as she continues her work on it.