About Entrada
The Entrada Institute is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. The Entrada Institute is headquartered in Torrey, Utah, the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. A 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, the Entrada Institute hosts events that include lectures and concerts, sponsors scientific studies and creative work, and extends scholarships to local students. We are passionate about the history of this land and its people, and we’re devoted to ensuring the vitality of the region for future generations. [FIND US ON GOOGLE MAPS]
ART HUMANITIES MUSIC SCIENCE
Community Engagement
Help Shape the Entrada Institute Regional Mural Project
A new permanent mural is being created this summer for the Entrada Institute, and we invite your voice in shaping it. This artwork will reflect the landscape, history, and shared experiences of this region.
WHAT SHOULD THIS MURAL INCLUDE?
- Cottonwoods along the creek
- Night skies and celestial landscapes
- Red rock formations of Capitol Reef and the Colorado Plateau
- Regional events, traditions, and lived experiences
- Cultural and historical elements tied to this place
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE
We welcome: written ideas, stories, photographs, sketches, or descriptions of meaningful places.
No formal experience needed—simple ideas are valuable.
SUBMIT BY MAY 5
This allows time for design development and approval by early June.
What image or memory best represents this region to you?
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
DONNA PENCE
Donna Pence is a Utah-based teaching artist specializing in public art that reflects history of place, community input, landscape, and culture. Her work integrates imagery developed through collaboration with communities and historical groups.
PAUL HEATH
Paul Heath is a lifelong Salt Lake City artist with a BFA from the University of Utah. His public art includes etched glass installations and murals, and he has taught visual art since 2013.
2026 WRITING FROM THE LAND WORKSHOP
2026 WRITING FROM THE LAND WORKSHOP
REFER TO REGISTRATION PAGE FOR EVENT DETAILS/INSTRUCTIONS
WANT TO ATTEND AN ENTRADA EVENT?
Advance reservations are required.
V. Douglas Snow Collegiate Arts Mentorship Event
Three collegiate students from across Utah will receive a $500 stipend, 5 nights lodging, work in the field and studio with 2026 guest artist Jana Parkin in Torrey, Utah. An exhibition and live interview featuring your work will cap off the event!
Applications must be submitted to info@entradainstitute.org by no later than 5:00 pm, May 11th. A four-person committee will review all application submissions. Selections will be announced on May 16th to the Entrada Institute Board of Directors, and notifications will then be made to all applicants the following Monday, May 18th.
Immerse yourself in Torrey, Utah’s striking red rock landscapes—just a stone’s throw from Capitol Reef National Park—for a transformative writing workshop centered on environmental nonfiction and poetry.
This unique gathering invites writers of all levels to explore their connection to place through the written word. Surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of the Colorado Plateau, you’ll have space to reflect, create, and grow your craft alongside accomplished faculty and a community of supportive peers.
Whether you’re looking to experiment with form, spark new ideas, or refine your voice, this workshop offers the inspiration and feedback to help your writing flourish. Come write with us where the desert meets the sky.
Laura Pritchett
THURSDAY, MAY 14th
Jonathon Thompson
FRIDAY, MAY 15th
Annette McGivney
SATURDAY, MAY 16th
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Jonathan is a writer, editor, and journalist who has focused on the lands and communities of the western United States since 1996. He has written for newspapers, has published two nonfiction books and a novel, and currently runs a newsletter focused on public lands.
To attend his talk, scan the QR code in the flyer below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/.
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The second "Writing from the Land" presentation, sponsored by the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, will take place on Friday May 15 at 7:00 p.m. Jonathan Thompson will discuss the crisis facing the Colorado River in a presentation entitled "Ode to Leaky Irrigation Ditches: Conflicting Views on Western Water Law, Values, and Aesthetics."
Jonathan is a writer, editor, and journalist who has focused on the lands and communities of the western United States since 1996. He has written for newspapers, has published two nonfiction books and a novel, and currently runs a newsletter focused on public lands.
To attend his talk, scan the QR code in the flyer below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/. Jonathan's presentation will also be livestreamed here.
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The first of these will take place this Thursday night, May 14, at 7:00 p.m., when Laura Pritchett will present a talk entitled "Nature Writing Now." In her presentation, she will discuss her work, that of other nature writers, and current trends in nature writing. Laura is the author of seven novels and two works of nonfiction. She has also served as the editor of three anthologies; and, as a freelance writer, her work has appeared in numerous publications.
To attend her talk, scan the QR code in the flyer below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/.
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"Writing from the Land" is an annual workshop sponsored by the Entrada Institute. It is supported by a generous grant from the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation in honor of Doctorow family member, the esteemed author and educator, François Camoin. Writers leave the workshop with new works and insights, a deeper connection to the land, and a supportive creative community. This unique experience nurtures emerging and established voices and celebrates the power of words shaped by nature, especially the Colorado Plateau. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, members of the "Writing from the Land" faculty will give public presentations.
The first of these will take place this Thursday night, May 14, at 7:00 p.m., when Laura Pritchett will present a talk entitled "Nature Writing Now." In her presentation, she will discuss her work, that of other nature writers, and current trends in nature writing. Laura is the author of seven novels and two works of nonfiction. She has also served as the editor of three anthologies; and, as a freelance writer, her work has appeared in numerous publications.
To attend her talk, scan the QR code in the flyer below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/. Laura's presentation will also be livestreamed here.
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