FALL 2020 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS:
WordPlay's community programs are free and open to all.
All our programs will be held online this fall.
In partnership with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County:
Writing as Activism: a Creative Writing Workshop for Teens
Free!
Ages 13-18
Wednesdays, Oct. 7 - Nov. 4, 7-8 pm
Join us virtually for a creative writing workshop in collaboration with WordPlay Cincinnati! In this workshop, we will explore the connection between creative writing, expression and social justice. There will be six weeks of workshops; teens are welcome to attend one or all six. Registration required. Click here to register!
LIFE
Pre-COVID, a group of our teens were meeting each week to explore and respond to current events through writing and art. One student, all of 13 years old, held up her hand and said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute. This is so much for me to take in. Can we just back up and have a class on life first? This stuff is deep, and there is so much I want to learn!" Thank you, Violet—we hear you. In this series, students direct their own learning by leading with questions posed to local artists. Join in and see where LIFE takes us.
Free!
Ages 14-18
Saturdays, 1-2 pm
Starting Oct. 3
SCRIPTOBER
Free!
Ages 12-20
Starting Oct. 1
In this fun twist on Inktober, young writers will get daily prompts to help keep the words flowing all month long.
Free!
WordUP:
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Dr. Theresa Kulbaga teaches creative writing, gender studies, and courses in women's autobiography and memoir at Miami University. Theresa has been with WordPlay since 2013.
Ages 12-18
Ongoing enrollment, meets on Tuesdays 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Teaching Artists: Theresa Kulbaga and Sam Foulkes
Samuel Foulkes manages Clovernook Printing House, the largest producer of braille in North America. In addition, he chairs Clovernook’s Arts & Accessibility Initiative which works with museums on accessibility projects, Sam has been with WordPlay since 2012.
How does knowledge contribute to justice and peace?
WordUP has been an after-school program at Aiken High School for 8 years. Now, as we enter our 9th year, we open up this powerful weekly gathering to all students in grades 7+. This year’s WordUP theme, Know Justice, Know Peace! will empower you to cultivate your knowledge, find your voice, and speak out against injustice while building connections with other youth from across. the city. We will read and write response poetry, persuasive speeches, and other forms of social justice expression through writing, while considering how writing contributes to contemporary movements for social change.
Free!
Writes of Passage
Ages 12-18
Wednesdays, Oct. 7 - Nov. 11, 4:30-5:30 PM
Teaching Artist: Simone Yael
Simone Yael ventures in stage performance, filmmaking, fashion, architectural design, poetry/spoken word, music and dance. She is intentionally finding new ways to marry creative projects with Art-Entrepreneurship & community engagement.
As our world evolves, young people face the persistent challenge of defining and redefining who they are and what they stand for. In this class, you will have the opportunity to express yourself while being supported by the strength of a diverse and inclusive community where all are valued and celebrated. This virtual class has a strong focus on character development and expression of personal and community identity. You'll work closely with local art mentor, Simone Yael, to discover and share your unique voice and explore creativity through group discussion, multi-genre writing, and visual art-making.
For elementary and junior high students:
Check out our recently concluded programs to see what we've been up to:
You Have a Voice!
Ages 12-18
Watch Tuesday, September 8th's session here
Thursday, September 10th 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Teaching Artist: Jeni Jenkins
Free!
Jeni Jenkins is a design activist, educator, and artist passionate about the role of art in transforming individual lives and communities. Equipped with a multidisciplinary background in social science and art, Jeni is interested in creating and leading projects that spur social and economic change through art and design.
YOU HAVE A VOICE! In this two-day class, Jeni Jenkins of Renegade Babe Design Studio will walk you step-by-step how to turn your intent into action. Participants will review examples of artwork created by artists and designers around the world who are interested in creating change, learn a few strategies on how to get started, and then create and share a work of art about an issue they care about.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
