Youth/Speakers

Speakers’ Corner: Callicoon, NY — On Sunday, November 23, ENGN hosted its inaugural Speakers’ Corner, organized by Liz Huntington and Thomas Bosket, marking the beginning of a new community tradition in the Upper Delaware River Valley. Inspired by London’s historic Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, ENGN opened its doors from sunrise to sunset for a full day of shared voice, story, and presence.

We were honored to begin the morning with longtime local residents Chuck and Andrea Henley Heyn, coming at sunrise to share their experiences as longtime residents of the Upper Delaware River Valley. And, to respect privacy and the moment’s haecceity (some word fun) I won’t say much, but the attentiveness to each other and being present in a sunrise to sunset event had a texture that felt most essential in our modern times where speed seems to be the norm.  

Later in the day, poet Eric Baylin offered a reading of his piece Callicoonery, bringing humor, wild rhythm, and a deep sense of place onto the front porch.

The event was also featured on WJFF Radio Catskill, where Valerie Mansi interviewed Thomas about the spirit and purpose of Speakers’ Corner —a space where anyone can step forward and be heard without judgment, censorship, or hierarchy. (If you’d like to listen, search WJFF’s recent interviews for “ENGN Speakers’ Corner.”)

Throughout the day, residents came by to read, recite, tell stories, confess, laugh, or simply listen. Some brought their own writing; others chose from a curated table of poems, essays, and letters. Voices rose, trembled, improvised….all belonged.

As co-founder Thomas Bosket shared, “This isn’t about performance — it’s about presence. A healthy community depends on how it listens.”

ENGN’s Speakers’ Corner is part of our practice to connect art, dialogue, and civic life — making space for the stories and experiences that shape who we are as a region.

Admission was free. Warmth, vegan soup, and deep listening were abundant.

And this is just the beginning.

Monticello HS Enrichment Program - “The Tank” Update

This fall, ENGN’s The Tank at Monticello High School began its second year, a vibrant space where young people use art to build connection, explore their personal relationship to systemic needs, and strengthen community understanding. Through collaborative creative work, students are exploring how place and perception shape communication, and are developing artistic skills alongside confidence and voice. What began as an after-school program has grown into a dynamic environment that is also offered during lunches and study halls, where youth are empowered to make work that matters — for themselves and their community. Here is a recent WJFF Radio Interview with the youth: wjffradio.org+1.

Stay tuned for celebration events and student showcases as The Tank continues to evolve!