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.
EVENTS
Livestream Reading: Travis Williams and Marina Richie (Annie Bloom’s Books)
Thursday, June 30, from 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Annie Bloom’s welcomes Oregon authors Travis Williams and Marina Richie for a presentation of their new books from OSU Press. Marina Richie is a nature writer based in Bend, Oregon and the author of the children’s books Bird Feats of Montana and Bug Feats of Montana. Her newest book Halcyon Journey is an inviting introduction to the mythic and mysterious belted kingfisher that explores tribal stories of the kingfisher as messenger and helper. Travis Williams is the executive director of the environmental nonprofit Willamette Riverkeeper. He was awarded the Helping Hand Award by the Spirit Mountain Community Fund for his work. His book Willamette River Greenways combines personal narrative about his experiences on the river with nuanced consideration of the controversies and challenges of the Greenway Program. Williams also sheds light on current land stewardship practices, revealing the institutional and leadership failures that endanger the river’s water quality and habitat, and looks to the program’s future.
Pickathon
Friday, August 5–Monday, August 8
In person at Pendarvis Farms
Pickathon is the deep-cut, genre agnostic lineup Portland’s been dreaming of! With a curation focus on new movements in music, this four day outdoor festival in beautiful Pendarvis Farms is sure be an unbelievable event. Check out the full 2022 lineup!
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Prize in Flash Fiction (Lascaux Review)
Deadline: June 30
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Lascaux Review online and in print is given annually for a work of flash fiction. Previously published stories are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three stories of no more than 1,000 words each with a $15 entry fee by June 30. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Dear Stranger (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline June 30
Dear Stranger is a recurring letter-exchange project that connects Oregonians through the mail to share experiences, beliefs, and ideas. Since 2014, more than 1,000 people have exchanged letters through the project. Everyone is invited to participate—no matter the age, place of residence, or circumstances, Dear Stranger wants to hear from you! To participate, just write a letter addressed “Dear Stranger,” fill out the participation release form, and mail your letter to the address provided.
Writing the Unloved: A Hands-On Literary Exploration of Great Basin Reptiles (PLAYA)
July 21–25
Lead by author and biologist Tom Titus, this 5-day guided residency will provide a hands-on opportunity to experience the biology of Summer Lake reptiles and learn to write deeply about your relationship with reptiles, as well as expand this literary exploration to the “others” that lie outside our zone of comfortable familiarity. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or certified medical exemption with negative COVID-19 test, will be required to participate in all 2022 programming at PLAYA.
Women and aging—stories and experiences about being older
Deadline August 15
Producer performer Arlene Levenson and director Cheryl King are collecting submissions for a performance and workshop weekend! They are looking for content that serves the theme of women and aging as a feminist act and is strong enough to stand on its dramaturgical merit. All submissions should be written from the perspective of “women of a certain age” for a live theater in the Pacific North West slated for fall 2022 to be performed by Arlene and Cheryl after development. Theatrical/presentational material is preferred, but prose, poetry, monologues, spoken word, erotica, stand-up, or lyrics may be accepted if you’re willing to adapt your writing for the stage. For consideration, please submit no more that three to ten double-spaced pages (PDF preferred) to Arelene Levenson’s email, thatlevensongirl@gmail.com. Male, non-normative gender writers are welcome to submit.
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)
Reviewed on a rolling basis
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.
FOR KIDS/ TEENS
Mixed Media – Techniques & Exploration with Jenna Gibson (Bodecker Foundation)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 5 to August 4th, from 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
In this free, dynamic five-week course, students will explore a range of mixed media materials and learn how to create with each one. Part one of the workshop will focus on familiarizing students with a variety of drawing materials- graphite pencils, ink pens, markers, chalk pastels and colored pencils. In part two they will explore the basics of painting with watercolors and acrylics. Blending, layering, and color mixing will all be covered. No experience is necessary- try your hand at new materials or expand upon your art practice!
Show: Tell Summer Camps (Independent Publishing Resource Center)
July 11–15: Comics, Zines & Screenprinting for Middle Grades with Sarah Mirk, Marissa Perez, and Sam Cohen
July 18–22: High School Creative Writing, Zines & Screenprinting with Briauna Taylor and Marissa Perez
July 25–29: High School Letterpress & Bookarts with Daniela del Mar, and IPRC Staff
Show:Tell Summer Camps are back at the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) for July 2022! The camps are in-person. Masks & proof of vaccination required. See more about the IPRC’s COVID Policy here. The cost for a week of camp is $350 and includes one year of IPRC Membership. To make this offering accessible, they have several spots available at 50% and 25% of the cost, as well as a small number of no-cost spots. Reach out with questions to showtell@iprc.org.
Intro to Voiceover with Susannah Mars and Adrienne Livingston (Bodecker Foundation)
July 12 – 13 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and July 14, from 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Hybrid, In-person at Bodecker Foundation, 2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR
In this intensive workshop, Adrienne Livingston and Susannah Mars will create a nurturing space for students to build their skills in the art of voiceover. Voiceover is the creative application of voice used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theater, video games and other exciting ways. Over the course of three sessions, two remote and one in-studio, students will explore scripts, build characters, improvise and record original tracks in the Bodecker Foundation’s state-of-the-art Halfling Studio. All are welcome- no previous experience is necessary!
Custom Sneaker Lab with Sebo Walker (Bodecker Foundation)
Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15, from 3:00–6:00 p.m.
In-person at Bodecker Foundation, 2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR
Students will learn how to customize sneakers in this two-day hands-on workshop with artist and pro-skater Sebo Walker. Sebo will share the different approaches he uses when customizing sneakers, like creating a simple pattern and repeating it, either across the entire shoe or as an accent on desired sections like a swoosh or toe cap. By the end of the workshop, each student have an original custom art piece to display at the Bodecker Foundation building as part Sneaker Week PDX- a citywide event that offers opportunities for sneakerheads, designers and industry professionals to meet, collaborate, and grow sneaker culture. Go to sneakerweekpdx.com to learn more about Sneaker Week!
Fashion Reworkship with Holly Stalder and Kate Towers (Bodecker Foundation)
From Monday July, 18 to Thursday, July 21, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Hybrid, In-person at Bodecker Foundation, 2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR
This free, special hybrid workshop will focus on the importance of slow and ethical fashion- buying less, repairing and repurposing more. Students will familiarize themselves with sewing machine basics and practice various seams, pressing, surging, and other helpful applications to repurpose, alter, and repair their existing clothing. By the end of the class, students will leave with an original reworked garment that they have created.
I Matter Poetry Contest (National Youth Foundation)
Deadline: July 23, 2022
Students in grade K–12 are invited to submit original poetry or art creation on the topic of Black Lives Matter. The contest is open to residents of the United States, as well as to international students. The winning entry will be posted on their social media pages by September 2022 (@NYFUSA).
Letters Spell Words + Words Cast Spells with Jason Grahm (Mosley Wotta) (Bodecker Foundation)
Mondays and Wednesdays, July 25 to August 10, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
This three-week workshop invites participants to utilize their lived experience as a personal and performative power source. Students will create, share, edit, and explore their own original written and spoken poetry for performance and personal use. This wordshop invites the challenging and changing of systemic oppression through tongue and thought and timing. This worldshop invites a reimagining of prospective futures now, through the creative repurposing of colonial english. This warpshop invites participants into a portal of poetry.
Music Performance – Vibe Check with Blossom (Keisha Chiddick) (Bodecker Foundation)
Mondays and Wednesdays, July 25 to August 17, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Hybrid, In-person at Bodecker Foundation, 2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR
In this four-week workshop, students will learn to build upon their musical talents while grounding in the aesthetic components of live performance. This workshop will introduce students to a career in music production, set design, and show execution while helping them develop their artistic identity and share it with the world. Each class will feature a local musician or producer who will share their experiences in the music production industry. By the end of the workshop, students will have written an original song that they can perform to a live audience. No previous experience is necessary—all skill levels are welcome.
COMMA SUMMER / Graphic Design Survey (Bodecker Foundation)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 26 to August 18, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hybrid, In-person at Bodecker Foundation, 2360 NW Quimby Street Portland, OR
COMMA SUMMER is a four-week series of design-related workshops taught by graphic design students in COMMA- the BIPOC student group at Portland State University. Students will create theme-driven projects and learn various techniques and tools to create 2-D design pieces. The workshop will culminate in an in-person art show at the Bodecker Foundation building on Friday, August 19 that students will collaboratively install and promote. No previous design experience necessary! Come explore design with COMMA! Visit @psugd_comma to learn more about COMMA!
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.
IN THE NEWS
Poet Q&A: Dao Strom, winner of the 2022 Oregon Book Award for Poetry (Oregon Artswatch)
The Best Book Places in the U.S. (2022 Data) (Clever)
Portland, OR was named the 10th best book city in the US! We’re especially grateful that Portland Book Festival was given a shoutout.
The Glorious Comeback of Northwest Review (The Oregonian)
Portland Writer Jules Ohman Delights With Her First Novel, “Body Grammar” (Willamette Week)
A glowing review of our Writers in the Schools Manager Jules Ohman’s debut novel!
RECOMMENDED READING
34 Books You’ve Got To Read This Summer (Buzzfeed)
This excellent reading list has books from two 22/23 PAL authors, our WITS apprentice Cecily Wong, and our WITS Manager Jules Ohman!
The Moth Presents How to Tell A Story
The definitive guide to telling an unforgettable story in any setting, drawing on twenty-five years of experience from the storytelling experts at The Moth.
Ada Limón on how to write a poetry collection (LitHub)
Enjoy this interview with 22/23 Portland Arts & Lectures speaker Ada Limón!
The Surreal Case of a CIA Hacker’s Revenge (The New Yorker)
This long-form piece was written by 22/23 Portland Arts & Lectures speaker Patrick Radden Keefe.
