Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know if you have any events or news to share.
Literary Arts will be closed for the holidays starting Thursday, December 23, 2021 and will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022.
EVENTS
Shining City (Imago Theatre)
Through Saturday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Imago Theatre, 17 Southeast 8th Avenue, Portland, OR
Mature Audiences, recommended for 16 and older | $20 per ticket
The haunting at the center of playwright Conor McPherson’s devastating drama Shining City is grounded by a naturalism suited to telling tales of psychological possession, not of mysterious visitors or evil tricksters. If McPherson’s The Birds – from earlier this season at Imago Theatre – presented a world in which nature had turned against mankind, McPherson’s Shining City showcases what happens when we’re betrayed by our very selves.
All audiences must show vaccinations cards (hard copy or electronic) and photo ID upon entry and must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with either Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before the performance date. Audiences will be required to follow mask mandates as required by state and local officials. All cast, crew and staff at Imago are fully vaccinated.
Hidden Histories (Portland Chinatown Museum)
Saturday, December 18, from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Free to attend | Register here
The Portland Chinatown Museum is pleased to announce the ninth and final program in the Hidden Histories: Oregon’s Early Chinatowns and Chinese Worker Settlements series, which was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities. Featured speakers include Priscilla Wegars, Ph.D., and Renae Campbell.
Kwanzaa on Killingsworth: Cultural Celebration & Artisan Market (Soul Restoration Project)
Sunday, December 19, from 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Albina Arts Salon, 14 NE Killingsworth, Portland, OR
Cultural Celebration and Artisan Market featuring artisans, vendors, musical and spoken word performers celebrating Black artistry & excellence. Masks and social distancing will be required. Guests must exit the building to consume any food or drink. Curated by Sunshine Dixon & The Soul Restoration Project. The Soul Restoration Project is a series of residencies curated by jazz pianist/composer and PSU Professor Darrell Grant, that serve as a laboratory to explore how art can activate and renew our civic space.
How to Read a Comic (Multnomah County Library)
Thursday, January 6, from 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Free to attend | Register here
Have you ever looked at a comic book or graphic novel and thought, “where do I start?” Join Jason Leivian of Floating World Comics along with librarians Alicia Tate and Laural Winter for a crash course in getting the most out of comic books, graphic novels, and graphic memoir. You’ll come away with a new appreciation for the form along with suggestions for new titles to explore. Everybody Reads 2022, a community reading project of Multnomah County Library, is made possible in part by gifts to The Library Foundation.
Livestream Reading: Dispatches from Anarres (Annie Bloom’s Books)
Thursday, January 6, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. PST
Free to attend | Register here
Annie Bloom’s welcomes Tina Connolly, Kesha Ajose-Fisher, Rachael K. Jones, and TJ Acena, whose stories appear in Dispatches from Anarres: Tales in Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin.
Consider This with Omar El Akkad (Oregon Humanities)
Tuesday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR | Virtual available
$15 ticket | no-cost tickets available
Oregon Humanities’ Consider This series of onstage conversations returns to the Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland next month. Oregon writer Omar El Akkad, author of American War (winner of the Oregon Book Award) and What Strange Paradise. Proof of vaccination is required to attend in person; the program will also be streamed live at oregonhumanities.org.
“Oregon, My Oregon” from the John Wilson Special Collections (Multnomah County Library)
Through January 24
Monday, Wednesday–Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Tuesday: 12:00–8:00 p.m.
Central Library, Multnomah County Library, Collins Gallery, 3rd Floor, 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR
An exhibit at Portland Central Library giving an expansive view of how writers, artists, and others have depicted the state throughout its history.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Artist Registry (Oregon Arts Commission)
As a tool for sharing funding opportunities, the Oregon Arts Commission partnered with The Ford Family Foundation to create the Oregon Artist Registry. Professional artists are strongly encouraged to sign up for the registry by completing a brief survey about themselves and their artistic practice.The goal is to reach and connect with as many Oregon artists as possible, including those who haven’t previously accessed funding programs. Read the full release.
Call for Guest Speakers (Salem Art Association + Bush Barn Art Center)
In honor of their centennial year, Salem Art Association and the Bush Barn Art Center introduce a new event called “Arts in Our Lives”—a series of presentations promoting an appreciation for creativity in the visual, literary, and performing arts. “Arts in Our Lives” is accepting applications for individual or group presentations. An academic degree is not necessary and there are no age restrictions. Stipends are available. Email David Wilson, Gallery Director, at david@SalemArt.org with a letter of introduction, a one-page proposal on your topic, a resume or CV, and a list of three references.
Gregory Djanikian Scholars in Poetry (Adroit Journal)
Deadline: December 21
Adroit Journal annually recognizes six emerging student or non-student poets as Gregory Djanikian Scholars. All emerging writers who have not published full-length collections are eligible (regardless of age, geographic location, or educational status), and are encouraged to submit. Writers with forthcoming debut full-length collections are eligible so long as collections won’t appear earlier than April 2022. Gregory Djanikian Scholars receive $100 and publication of their portfolios of poems in a future issue of the Adroit Journal. Finalists will be awarded copies of Greg’s latest collection, Sojourners of the In-Between, and a list of semifinalists determined by the editors will be released with results.
Call for Submissions: Care (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: December 21
The theme for the Spring 2022 issue of Oregon Humanities magazine is “Care.” They want to hear stories about responsibility and custody, attention and affection, worry and grief. They’re looking for nonfiction articles and essays exploring what it means to provide care and to receive it, to care about and to be cared for.
2021 CRAFT Creative Nonfiction Award (CRAFT Literary)
Deadline: December 30
Guest Judge: Ira Sukrungruang
Guest judge Ira Sukrungruang will select three winning pieces of unpublished creative nonfiction up to 6,000 words—each of the three writers will be awarded $1,000, publication, and a complete set of Graywolf Press’s The Art Of series. They have an editors’ choice round, too!
CRAFT Creative Nonfiction Award (CRAFT Literary)
Deadline: December 30
Guest Judge: Ira Sukrungruang
Guest judge Ira Sukrungruang will select three winning pieces of unpublished creative nonfiction up to 6,000 words—each of the three writers will be awarded $1,000, publication, and a complete set of Graywolf Press’s The Art Of series. They have an editors’ choice round, too!
Siskiyou Prize for Environmental Literature (Ashland Creek Press)
Deadline: December 31
The Siskiyou Prize accepts published or unpublished full-length prose manuscripts, including novels, memoirs, short story collections, and essay collections. The 2021 Siskiyou Prize winner will receive a cash award of $1,000 and a two-week residency at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology during the 2022-2023 residency season. All unpublished manuscripts submitted to the prize will be considered for publication by Ashland Creek Press.
Community Storytelling Fellowship (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: January 3
Oregon Humanities is looking for people who belong to communities that are underrepresented in Oregon media to share stories from those communities in their magazine and other publications in 2022. Their new Community Storytelling Fellowship will give three Oregon storytellers—people producing nonfiction stories in any medium—$5,000 each to produce roughly three pieces in 2022. Fellows will receive mentorship and networking opportunities, and their work will be published in Oregon Humanities magazine.
Make | Learn | Build Grant (RACC)
Deadline: January 26, at 5:00 p.m.
The Make | Learn | Build grant program supports artists, creatives, organizations, and businesses in making work, gaining skills, or building up a business as we continue to respond to community needs. This grant program is designed to address the various ways the arts community in the tri-county region need support. This grant offers funding for artists and arts-based organizations in three categories: make, the creation of work in any artistic discipline; learn, artistic or administrative learning, skill building, or professional development that improve your art practice or business; and build, a transition or pivot for an arts business or operations, including purchase of equipment or staffing costs. Only one application can be submitted at a time. Awards in each focus area are at the $1,500 or $3,000 level, or a $5,000 level in Make when additional eligibility requirements are met. Round four of grants will be announced by March 31, 2022.
National Endowment for the Arts Big Reads Program
Deadline: January 26
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences with grants of up to $20,000. These programs include activities such as author readings, book discussions, art exhibits, lectures, film series, music or dance events, theatrical performances, panel discussions, and other events and activities related to the community’s chosen book. Activities focus on one of fifteen available books from the NEA Big Read library.
Colleen Cavin Fellowship (Focus on Book Arts)
Deadline: January 31
Focus On Book Arts (FOBA) will award up to three fellowships for their July 2022 conference. At least one position will go to a Book Artist from a traditionally underrepresented group. In exchange for three days of work at the conference, you can receive two days of tuition, six nights of room and board, early registration, opportunities to work with leaders in the Book Art Communities, and more.
Call for Submissions: The De-Canon + Fonograf Ed. Hybrid-Lit Anthology
(De-Canon and Fonograph Editions)
Deadline: January 31
The De-Canon + Fonograf Ed. Hybrid-Lit Anthology will feature hybrid-literary works by women and nonbinary BIPOC writers. This anthology will explore multimodal forms of writing that navigate the restless intersections of writing, visual art, and other media, and that innovate in their contemplations—and complications—of language and form.
Soapstone Fall/Winter Study Groups
Reading Madeleine Thien’s Do Not Say We Have Nothing, led by Tricia Snell
Saturdays January 22–February 26, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST | via Zoom
Small, Potent Packages: Reading Short Stories by Women Writers, led by Anndee Hochman
Sundays February 20–March 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST | via Zoom
Perfect that Picture Book Weekend Writing Retreat (Second Story Retreats)
Friday, February 4– Sunday, February 6, 2022
South Beach, Newport, OR
Price varies | Register here
Come with an idea and leave with a picture book manuscript. Led by award-winning Oregon author Elizabeth Rusch, this workshop will take you through the most vital steps in picture book writing. Through studying the picture book form, reading successful picture books, and focused writing exercises that help you develop your characters, narrative and voice, this all-inclusive weekend writing retreat at an oceanfront beach house will help you turn your picture book idea into a polished manuscript.
FOR KIDS/ TEENS
Holiday Events Guide (PDX Parent)
PDX Parent has a great list of holiday celebrations across the area. Make sure to check them out!
Cinderella: The Musical Panto (The Portland Panto Players)
December 18 and 19 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The Alberta Alley, 126 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Tickets $19–25 | Purchase here
Cinderella is a boisterous, family-friendly theater event filled with slapstick, witty dialogue, and a few wink-wink jokes for the adults. Every Panto is based on a well known story adapted to include popular songs and funny and outrageous characters who will get both kids and adults shouting, laughing, and having a wonderful time. The goal of Panto is to create joyous fun for everyone. So bring your loudest voices and with your help, Cinderella may discover her heart’s desire. All guests and staff must wear a mask inside the theater. In addition, Portland Panto Players is requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination OR proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the performance for anyone not vaccinated who is age 12 or over. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test along with photo identification will be checked at the door prior to entry.
Makerspace Minikits Available at All Multnomah County Libraries
Through Summer 2022
Makerspace minikits are STEAM-based activities in a bag, free to pick up at any Multnomah County library beginning Dec. 11. The minikits are designed for teens but are appropriate for ages 8+ with assistance. Kits will be available through Summer 2022. Makerspace programming is made possible by gifts to The Library Foundation.
Winter Reading Challenge (Cedar Mill & Bethany Community Libraries)
Through January 16
Have some fun, do some good, and join the CMBCL Winter Reading Challenge! For every hour you read, the libraries will donate ten cents to the Oregon Food Bank to help families facing food insecurity, up to a maximum donation of $1,000. Fill out a bingo card or complete activities in Beanstack for more fun!
Hello Storytime! (Roundabout Books)
Wednesday, December 22, from 10:30–11:00 a.m.
Roundabout Books, 900 N.W. Mount Washington Drive, Suite #110, Bend
Hello Storytime! is for parents/caregivers and children. Primarily the activities and books will be geared to the 0 to 5 years old age group with young child orientation. Movement, song and always some special books to share. Led by Kathleen who LOVES hedgehogs and all creatures great and small.
Bank of America Student Leaders Program (Bank of America)
Application Deadline: January 28, 2022 | Apply here
Since its inception in 2005, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 3,000 exemplary high school juniors and seniors who have a passion for improving their communities. The program recognizes community-minded students by connecting them to employment, skills development leadership training and service through two components:
- A summer eight-week paid internship with a local nonprofit organization. This internship is designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by a local nonprofit organization.
- The week-long, all-expense paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, social and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.
*In-person events will be in line with local and national guidelines around gatherings and travel and may be subject to change.
IN THE NEWS
12 Highly Anticipated Book Festivals in 2022 (Book Riot)
This list includes the 2022 Portland Book Festival, called “a wonderful experience.”
13 books by Oregon Authors For Holiday Giving (The Oregonian)
This fantastic list includes books by multiple #PDXBookFest authors, including What is Love? by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis, and The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. You can watch their virtual Portland Book Festival events here!
2022 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Shortlist Announced (NW Book Lovers)
The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association announced the 2022 Pacific Northwest Book Awards shortlist, selected by a committee of nine volunteer booksellers from throughout the PNW. There are three Oregon authors on the shortlist. Congratulations to the below authors!
- What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad (who won the 2018 Oregon Book Award for American War)
- Odessa by Jonathan Hill (a Literary Arts Board member!)
- Funeral for Flaca by Emilly Prado (a former Literary Arts employee!)
Portland Writer Douglas Wolk Lands on Front Page of NYT Book Review (Willamette Week)
The PSU professor read nearly all of Marvel’s 27,000 comics for his new book.
Q&A with Pulitzer Prize winning author and Portland native, Mitchell Jackson (The Beacon)
A Q&A with Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and Literary Arts board member) Mitchell Jackson prior to his speech at the University of Portland on November 10.
Worried about holiday shipping times? Shop local at these pop-up Oregon events (The Oregonian)
WINTER READING
13 Books by Oregon Authors for Holiday Giving (The Oregonian)
The Best Books of 2021 (Multnomah County Library)
16 Gift Ideas from Favorite Writers (Powell’s Books)
21 Movies You Should Watch This Holiday Season (Literary Hub)
21 writers on their favorite movies to watch during the holidays.
The Best Books of 2021, Chosen by Our Guest Authors (The Guardian)
Includes recommendations from Portland Book Festival authors Lauren Groff and Ruth Ozeki.
