Thursday 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Ekphrastic Poetry and the Art of Interpretation ~ M. Palowski Moore 

In this literary workshop, attendees explore innovative approaches to writing Ekphrastic poetry.  Participants will learn about and explore ways to unleash creative interpretations of art by utilizing actionable and insightful information. Through generative exercises, this workshop provides an opportunity to practice the craft of creating ekphrasis, weaving narratives from various types of artworks and draft an original poem inspired by a work of art.

Friday 11:00 am - 11:50 am
Protest Poetry: Activism in poetic form ~  Huascar Medina

Saturday 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm

SHARING WORDS: Poetry and Publishing ~ Maureen Carroll

Sharing Words from a publisher’s perspective (Includes:  Participation and learning activity and sharing and selection activity (focused on what we like and why.) Sharing Words from a poet’s perspective (includes putting your best foot forward and defining your goals.) We will look at poetry from both sides now.

Getting poetry published begins with polishing your strongest work and researching where it fits best. It also requires defining what poetry means to you. This workshop will outline what to do before you Submit. It will also offer performance tips for poets: how to deliver with impact, use voice and body, and engage an audience. This helps bring page and stage poets closer together. We will do some writing and a group activity giving participants the opportunity to select the next published work.

Saturday 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm

Poetry Universe Creation Workshop ~ Sheri Purpose Hall

What if a poem wasn’t just a moment—but an entire world?

In this poetry-centered workshop, Sheri Purpose Hall guides participants through the process of building a poetic universe where imagery, voice, metaphor, and emotional truth work together to create depth and meaning. Writers will experiment with world-building techniques adapted specifically for poetry and spoken word, allowing them to develop richer imagery and layered storytelling within their work.

This workshop is ideal for poets who want to push their craft further, expand their imaginative range, and explore new dimensions of language and expression.

Saturday 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Let's Make a Book: Advocacy & Activism through the Diverse Voices Literacy Program ~ LInzi Garcia

Sunday 2:45 pm - 4: 15 pm

Meeting All of It: Embracing Paradox and Opposition in Poetry ~ Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

One of the greatest mysteries of being alive is that the world is simultaneously full of heartache and beauty, sorrow and joy. How do we reconcile this in our own being? How do we allow such richness to infuse our writing? In this process-oriented playshop, we’ll take a practical look at paradox and opposition as technique, then read and discuss poems that invite us to enter two worlds at once, meeting the full spectrum of emotional possibility. Then we’ll write our own.