Self‐Portrait Poem Workshop
10 AM to 12 Noon- Susan J. Erickson
The image you see in the mirror is one “you” that could inspire a self‐portrait poem. In this workshop we will also look at and discuss a variety of alternative poetic “yous.” Contemporary poets have written self‐portrait poems as places (a river, a city, a state), as objects (as slinky, as rain gauge), as personas such as Frida Kahlo, and other surprising riffs (Wikipedia entry). So bring your imagination and your favorite writing materials.
Susan J. Erickson’s debut full‐length collection of poems in women’s voices, Lauren Bacall Shares a Limousine, recently won the Brick Road Poetry Prize. After writing persona poems for a long, long time she is looking for a new obsession. Her poems appear in Crab Creek Review, The James Franco Review, The Fourth River and The Tishman Review.
Cry Out Loud
1 PM to 3 PM- Anastacia Renee
In this workshop, we will examine overarching themes, hybridity, historical nuances, technique, and writ‐ing with courage from Jamaica Kincaid, Naomi Jackson, Zora Neale Hurston, Chinelo Okparanta, and Ya Gyasi. Discussion will include intersection(s) and entry points of race, culture, and sexuality and what it means when, as Audre Lorde said, “There’s always some‐one asking you to underline one piece of yourself—whether it’s Black, woman, mother, dyke, teacher, etc.—because that’s the piece that they need to key in to.” We’ll write pieces that demonstrate courageous hybrid writing and end with a group share out.
Anastacia Renee’ is a queer super‐shero of color moonlighting as a writer, performance artist and creative writing workshop facilita‐tor. She has received awards and fellowships from Cave Canem, Hedgebrook, VONA, Jack Straw, Ragdale and Artist Trust. She was recently selected as the 2015‐16 Writer‐in‐Residence at Hugo House, a place for writers in Seattle. Her Chapbook 26, published by Dancing Girl Press, is an abbreviated alphabet expression of the lower and uppercase lives of women and girls. Her poetry & fiction have been published in Literary Orphans, Bitterzoet, Radius Poetry, Seattle Review, Duende, Bone Bouquet, Dressing Room Poetry and many more.
Recently Anastacia Renee’ has been expanding her creative repertoire into the field of visual art, and has exhibited installations sur‐rounding the body as a polarized place of both the private and political. Lately she’s been obsessed with the body’s memory and in‐fatuated by myths, fables & imaginary truths.
Workshop cost and registration
Fees benefit the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest: $30 for a workshop or $50 for both workshops, paid by check or cash at the workshop. Pre‐registration is strongly encouraged. Please pre‐register by sending an email to boyntonpoetrycontest@hotmail.com. Indicate which workshop(s) you wish to take and include your name and phone number, in case of last‐minute changes. Please bring writing materials.
More information at: https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/