The Clarion 2020 Workshop, which was to have been held from June 21-August 1 at UC San Diego, has been cancelled. They will not attempt to run an online alternative version.

Karen Joy Fowler, Clarion Foundation President, explained the decisions:

… As the Covid-19 situation continued to unfold, we discussed different scenarios and what might best serve our class. While we deeply wish we could have proceeded with our workshop this summer, we have made the difficult decision not to host Clarion this year. This is the first summer Clarion won’t be offered since it started 52 years ago.

Our decision was primarily influenced by two factors: first, our host school, UC San Diego, decided that no in-person classes and workshops can be held on-campus this summer. Due to travel restrictions and continuing uncertainty with the situation in the US, it was not feasible for us to look at other in-person alternatives that would require travel for our international students/instructors, and we did not want to risk anyone’s safety. Secondly, while we considered an online version of the workshop, we strongly felt that much of what makes Clarion special would be lost in the process. Clarion is a residential workshop, and a significant part of its magic is the space and time it allows students to fully dedicate their days to writing–not to mention living with 18 other writers, similarly excited to shape their craft.

Fowler said students that were accepted for the 2020 event will have a place in a future workshop, and she hopes the panel of instructors will be able to come next year.

???? Congratulations to our Clarion Class of 2020! ????
As always, it was an extremely competitive application this year. While we're still monitoring the situation with Covid19, we're excited to have our class of writers, and look forward to welcoming them to our community! pic.twitter.com/DlVH7JnFAU

— Clarion Workshop (@ClarionUCSD) April 6, 2020

Applications to Clarion UCSD end tonight (11:59 pm PST)! We hope you’ll consider applying for the chance to learn from a great cohort and amazing instructors. ?????????? Best of luck to all applicants, and we look forward to reading your work! pic.twitter.com/BWlMkCvN9K

— Clarion Workshop (@ClarionUCSD) March 1, 2020

Fowler concluded:

We are actively discussing ways to continue building our Clarion community this year: by writing, sharing our stories, and otherwise coming together. It’s important for us during these difficult times to support each other and find inspiration and joy in our work. 

]Thanks to Michael Toman for the story.]