Class Description
In this course, we will explore how to write Blackout Poetry. Participants will learn to access their personal writing voice through prompts and exercises in class and at home. We will practice blacking out well known poems then work our way up to blacking out original poetry written during our workshop. By the end of the workshop, you will have your own original poems along with blackout versions and several writing prompts to keep the creative poetry energy flowing.
Al Kelly is a writer and facilitator based in Chicago who believes anyone can write poetry if given the right tools. She self-published a collection of poems (Imaginings on Love) and has been featured in online publications. Al is for the liberation of Black and brown people everywhere. She believes in the power of laughter and magic of nature.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 24
Class Style: Workshop; participation- and assignment-based
Materials List
Required
- Instructor-Distributed Materials
First Reading
Please bring in a poem you have been in love with for a while. Be prepared to share it with the class (by reading it out loud or simply sharing the text). Please be ready to answer the following questions about the poem:
- When did you read this poem for the first time?
- What memory does it bring up for you?
- What is your favorite moment in this poem?
A Brief Syllabus
- Introduction to the Course
- Erasing Words with Intention
- Shaping Meaning
- Creating Something New
- Letting Your Words Take Shape
- Writing Without Fear
Cost and Registration
6 Sessions, $255 ($229.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($255), Community Supported ($235), and Sponsor ($270). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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