Jean Harper, associate professor of English, was recently awarded a fellowship to the MacDowell Colony located in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Harper will reside at the artists’ colony for six weeks, beginning in August into September.

While at the MacDowell Colony, Harper plans to work on her second book, Horses and Divorces, which explores the relationship between horses and women. The book is part memoir, and part literary journalism.

“I am thrilled to receive this fellowship to go to MacDowell; not only is this a gift of time, which every writer deeply appreciates, but it is also an opportunity to work in the inspiring company of some of the best writers and artists in the country, if not the world.”

Mary Fell, English department chair and herself a writer, stated, “Jean’s fellowship from MacDowell not only honors her excellent writing, but it puts her in a league with some of this country’s finest writers, past and present. We are proud of Jean’s accomplishment!”

By receiving the fellowship, Harper will join over 6,000 artists who have resided at the peaceful farmland retreat for the purpose of further developing their creativity. The Colony was founded in 1907 by the original owners of the property, Edward MacDowell, a composer, and pianist Marian MacDowell. According to the MacDowell Colony, the artists retreat is now the nation’s leading artist colony providing “a nurturing environment to creative individuals of the highest talent an inspiring environment in which they can produce enduring works of the imagination.”

The Colony provides artists individual studios to continue to develop their talents and works. The Colony annually hosts about 250 national and international artists including writers, playwrights, visual artists, filmmakers, composers, interdisciplinary artists, and architects.