TO ALL AOW 2000 COLLEAGUES:

It saddens me to write this, but it is necessary to cancel ART OF THE WILD 2000.  On Tuesday, May 9, Squaw Valley Community of Writers Executive Director Brett Hall Jones formally recommended that we cancel due to multiple major construction projects at our location.  After dealing with the initial shock, I several days investigating and visited the site.  She's right, and I am notifying all that we are now formally suspending operations for July 7-14, 2000.

Squaw Valley has been in major transformation since Intrawest Corporation  (international conglomerate and owner of Whistler ski resort in British Columbia) bought into Squaw for many million dollars, with the intent of developing it extensively as a twelve- month destination recreation site.  Their plans are now being made very real very quickly. With construction by both Intrawest and Skicorp--plus an additional expansion by the adjoining Squaw Valley Lodge--we are facing a truly disrupted and unpleasant site situation. 

Until recently, we felt that continuing our operations in The Hub (the perfect location in 1999) would keep us at a distance from the excavation, noise, dirt and traffic.  We were then notified that our landlord, Skicorp, needed The Hub for office operations as their remodel encountered difficulties and was halted.  Our only alternative was the Olympic House (Plaza Bar and Bar One), which would be squarely in the middle of major construction from two--and perhaps three--sides for most of the summer. After considerable examination and soul-searching, we agree that to continue could result in 125+ people trying to have a conference on writing with the natural world in the middle of a major excavation and construction zone.  This won't work.

As to what the future may hold for The Art of the Wild at Squaw Valley, I can't say.  It was just about 10 years ago this time that we began talks that led to AOW in 1992 (our opening day was also the estimated due date for my daughter Carson, now almost 8), and I am pleased to have been part of something unique.  Beyond the fascination of my work, I have had the wonderful benefit of making and continuing friendships with folks like you.  The pleasure of working with the Hall family (SVCW founders and Squaw Valley residents for 40 years) and the entire SVCW community has been truly a gift.  And the University of California, Davis, has been a generous and loyal cosponsor, and we look forward to being a continuing part of their burgeoning environmental emphasis.

For now, please accept my sincere apologies for having to make this call on such short notice. I'll miss all of you and AOW this July, but I have hopes for the future!

Regards,

Jack Hicks
Director, The Art of the Wild