An Outdoor Poetry Workshop
From the Dormer Window Writing Studio.
It’s the first day of summer!
And so, the Dormer Window Writing Studio is opening one of its small creaky lead glass windows to say come on in and join me and my writer friends.
Why? Because you want to hang in a place that’s charming and different and sits separate from so many of the other places you find yourself in, with a crew of people who are all about cultivating soft, reflective places in the mind and world.
That sounds cool, no?
Last year, my little studio ran a series of workshops to create an art show at the Brickworks in the heart of Toronto.
This year, I have a few opportunities to offer those who may be interested.
First, this:
The novelist and poet Rajinderpal S. Pal and I had a really memorable morning last year facilitating an outdoor poetry workshop.
There was a moment when one participant teared up, another when a woman looked up at all of us, realizing how freeing it felt to write outdoors—and I can still remember the man who took off his hat and thanked everyone for being open and kind. The whole experience felt really special and unique—and even before a poet named Michael Moon appeared! I am not kidding.
This summer we’ll be focusing on Found Objects.
It takes place next Saturday (Sunday 10-12, rain date). No experience necessary. Only a love for language.
A wee preview…
Poetry is a quiet recalibration of the world - Anne Michaels
We’re here to create a safe space to be curious and playful artists - not experts.
What interrupts our creativity the most is thinking we’re doing it wrong.
We’ll break out into the garden to consider the spirit of objects we love and that love us back.
Poetry is a brain and heart fully firing and on fire, then suddenly at rest, in wonder, in grief, in gratitude - Anne Michaels
Making art can become very solitary. I’m looking forward to spending some time out in the world, meeting new people to create powerful art. Hope you can make it.
Feel free to share this invite with anyone you know, and bring a friend. It’s free (funded by a few community groups) and all about flooding the world with more togetherness and LOVE.
Keep making art!