Swallow Hollow

Have you heard the news that Charis Circle has been gifted 24 acres of land in rural west Georgia, just north of Tallapoosa, to develop a feminist artists' retreat and cultural workers support space?

This land was bequeathed by Sorrel Hays, a lesbian and feminist avant-garde opera composer and world-renowned pianist. Sorrel, who passed away in February 2020, was married to Marilyn Ries, one of the most significant recording engineers of the Women's Music movement. Marilyn also recorded many of the first major audiobooks. Marilyn predeceased Sorrel in 2017.

It is our honor to continue to steward this land in the memory of Sorrel and Marilyn and the many incredible queer and trans artists, activists, and musicians who called them friends, and visited the land over the years, which Sorrel named "Swallow Hollow" after the abundance of swallows and other birds who grace the property.

We are currently processing and preserving Sorrel and Marilyn's archives, which are invaluable for Southern lesbian political and music history. As that phase winds down we will be able to begin welcoming volunteers on the land for a diverse array of projects.

If you would like to support the work of Swallow Hollow directly, you may do so by giving here and putting "Swallow Hollow" in the dedication field.