2022 / 2023 Artist-in-Residence – Rags Rosenberg:

Few American cities have a deeper artistic and literary history than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ever since the "Bohemians" migrated here after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Carmel has drawn a "who’s who" list of poets, playwrights, and artists to her magnificent shoreline. The list includes Ansel Adams, Robinson Jeffers, Jack London, Mary Austin, Upton Sinclair, and John Steinbeck, to name just a few..

The fact that the Carmel community continues to be a magnet for creatives is celebrated and honored by the Hofsas House Hotel. Beginning in 2021, the Hofsas House began its own "Artist in Residence" program and has named songwriter/poet Rags Rosenberg to fill that role for 2022.

Rags' first official act was to oversee the installation of a "poetry box" on the front of the Hotel where passersby can take a monthly poem with them. In April, he delivered an address "The Transformative Power of Poetry" as a celebration of National Poetry Month in the Hofsas House community room. You can watch his talk here. In May, he recited the poem he wrote for the 75th anniversary of the Hotel at their poolside ribbon cutting ceremony.

Rosenberg was Born and raised in the 1960's musical landscape of Southern California and subsequently lived an iconic troubadour life: he spent 12 years in Atlanta where he learned the art of audio recording, 14 years in Nashville honing his writing skills, 14 years writing and performing in Joshua Tree, and 2 years touring the West Coast while living in his Scamp travel trailer. In September 2021 he abandoned the life of the traveling troubadour and has permanently relocated to our beautiful village of Carmel.

Rags explores the mysteries of love and family and offers wry reflections on life's philosophical questions. He names Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Rumi, and David Whyte as his primary influences and is the author of the poetry collection Raised in the Shadow. His poems have appeared in Black Moon, Hudson View, and other poetry journals. His song, "I'll Meet You There," from his CD Flower Time was written with Grammy winner Lyn Langham and used in the film "Beyond Right and Wrong." You can listen to his music here and read his poetry here.

On November 4, he will be performing songs and poetry at the hotel’s "Meet Our Artist-in-Residence" event. The Hofsas House 2021 Artist, Marie-Claire, will also be there to showcase her art and textiles. This will a great time to visit Carmel and stay with us!

If you'd like to book Rags for an evening of poetry and song, you can contact him directly at rags@ragsandbonesmusic.com.