WordPlay's mural,"Standing on the Shoulders of Giants," thanks to our
partnership with ArtWorks and generous funding from the Ohio Arts Council
FALL PROGRAMS 2021
WordPlay's fall workshops immerse children and teens in multi-disciplinary creative experiences, giving them the space to read, write, create and connect with peers from around the city. Thanks to the generosity of WordPlay's supporters, these workshops are free to families.
Support Byron's Room
A very special "Power to the Poets" WordPlay fundraiser!
Join us for this unique opportunity to get our Teen Space up and running honoring the late Kenneth “Byron” Pillow. Known to many as just “Kenny”, during his lifetime, he wrote many poems encouraging youth to tell their stories and express themselves in positive ways.
At the new WordPlay Literary Arts and Creative Hub, a mighty team of passionate supporters have carved space to inspire the next generation of poets in “Byron’s Room”. Join us as we continue to share poetic writing as one of his greatest gifts!
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Discovering Our Story in Walnut Hills
In collaboration with The Harriet Beecher Stowe House with Prince Johnson & Theresa Kulbaga
Ages 12-18
Mondays 4-5:00pm
Starting October 11th
FREE
Join us for this unique opportunity to learn about the past and write about the future! We’ll take a walking tour through Walnut Hills and learn about the deep abolitionist history of the neighborhood. We’ll also work with amazing Teaching Artists to write and record our own stories of our experiences in our neighborhood.
Weaving Our Words
with Pauletta Hansel
Ages 9 & Up
Tuesdays 7-8:00pm
October 5th, 12th, 19th
FREE
Join us for an intergenerational writing experience, where we will use poetry and storytelling to weave a community across age and other differences. Whether you are a part of a family unit wishing to write together, or an individual who would like to learn more about those younger or older than you, you are welcome. We will write together to prompts provided by Pauletta Hansel, with ample opportunities for sharing what we write.
Comics and Illustration
with Anjali Alm-Basu
Ages 10 & Up
Wednesdays 4-5:00pm
October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
FREE
Calling all artists and storytellers! Join WordPlay as we learn the basics of writing and drawing comics, while investigating the wide array of genres and styles available within the world of zines, comics and graphic novels. Discover drawing techniques as well as creative writing, with the goal of producing your own comic books as well as developing a unique style.
Wheel Crew Spooky Ride
a collaboration between WordPlay & Red Bike
Thursday 5-7pm
October 28th
FREE
Ride like your life depends on it - it just might! We will bike to spooky spots, spots where the very fabric of this world and the next have rubbed against each other until the veil itself has worn thin. Come exercise both your body, mind and spirit! Join Wordplay and Red Bike for a ride and hike in the Northside Community where you write your observations as you move from place to place to create a poem or story based on the horrors...no, uhm...wonders that unfold!
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Creativity, Friendship
& Self-Care
with Hillary Hahn
Ages 7-10
Thursdays 5-6:00pm
October 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
FREE
Join us on a wonderful, creative adventure! Let's explore creative thinking and friendship via writing prompts and art projects. Each session, we’ll also learn and practice a new self-care technique!
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Have questions about our programs? Feel free to contact us to learn more!
Your Opinion Matters:
Advocacy Writing Workshop
with Kelsey Hawkins-Johnson
Ages 13 & Up
Tuesday, October 19th 4-5:30 pm
FREE
Inspired by Amanda Gorman and Nikki Giovanni, Your Opinion Matters: Advocacy Writing Workshop is an introductory writing class for ages 13 and up to voice their concerns on local social issues that they care about for social change. They will be introduced to local newspapers, opinion writing style, and will brainstorm their own piece.
The Story of Me:
Poetry and Personal Narrative
with Ashley-Devon Williamston
Ages 13 & Up
4 weeks, Tues & Thurs 4-5:00pm
October 26th-November 16th
FREE
What’s your story and how would you like to tell it? This series is focused on personal reflection through poetry and storytelling. Students will learn about the elements of “biographical storytelling” and “autobiographical poetry,” then apply what they've learned and write 3-4 poems that tell the story of their life thus far. Through this class series, poets will gain a deeper sense of themselves as individuals and artists, and grow their storytelling skills.
WORKSHOP FULL - REGISTER FOR WAITLIST
Writing for College Admissions
with Tim'm T. West
Ages 16 & Up
Tuesday 7:00pm
October 26th
FREE
Join Tim'm T. West, local and national educator and college admissions specialist, for this practical workshop in crafting college admissions essays. This workshop will support students with writing and admissions counseling while encouraging students to tell their unique stories!
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Poetry and Healing
with Carlos García León
Ages 13 and up
Wednesday 5-6:00pm
November 10th
FREE
Humans are naturally expressive, emotional creatures and writing has always had the power to make us understand and feel what those emotions are. As we continue witnessing and experiencing the events of the past, the flow of the present, and the possibilities of the future, this workshop will guide us through finding the root of our feelings and taking ownership of them to heal us, to protect us, and to connect with others for a community caring experience.
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Our fall 2021 workshops are made possible by generous support from these funders as well as individuals like you—thank you!
