The Garden State Storytellers' League

Hamilton, NJ
(Mercer County)
englearnr@aol.com
609-890-3378

The Garden State Storytellers League (GSSL) was founded in 1982 by Gwendolyn Jones, Professor Emerita, The College of NJ, and professional storyteller. The league is an affiliate league of the National Storytellers League (NSL) founded in 1903. The motto of the NSL and the GSSL is "Service through Storytelling." Membership is open to adults who are interested in the Art of Storytelling and developing storytelling skills as well as those who are already storytellers.

Monthly meetings and Story Swaps are held at the Hamilton Township Library (Mercer County). In addition to the stories told, storytelling techniques and strategies are explored in the form of short instructional sessions presented by members.

As Community Outreach, each March the league provides a storytelling workshop for the community, kindergarten-thru-college educators, and league members. Professional Development Hours are awarded to NJ educators.

For the past 17 years, GSSL has organized "TELLABRATION at Hamilton," a benefit storytelling and music workshop and concert. TELLABRATION is an international event of the National Storytelling Network (NSN) held each November.

GSSL storytellers perform at various venues which include museums, libraries, community fairs, and Girl/Boy Scout meetings. Youth storytellers are encouraged to perform at the "Evenings of Storytelling for the Whole Family" held at the Hamilton Township Library.

GSSL members receive Here and There (a GSSL newsletter), themed, annotated bibliographies, Story Art, A Magazine for Storytellers (an NSL publication), and information about national and regional storytelling conferences. Keep the Art of Storytelling Alive and Well !!!

Member since: 11/09