Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know in the form below the blog if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Writers’ Workshop (Jackson County Library Services)
Monday, December 26, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. | In person in the Adams Conference Room at the Medford Library, Medford, OR | FREE to attend
Workshop your writing projects with other writers. Each meeting will start with a facilitated collaborative discussion about a themed topic. This meeting is: World Building, Map Making. After the discussion there will be time for quiet writing.
Conversation Project Leader Info Session (Oregon Humanities)
Thursday, January 4, at 11:00 a.m. | Online | FREE to attend
Oregon Humanities is looking for people who want to facilitate conversations that get people talking, listening, and connecting to one another as Conversation Project leaders. Learn about the Conversation Project, what it’s like to facilitate conversations with Oregon Humanities, and how to apply at an online information session with Program Lead Juliana Posada. To request a link to join this session, please email Juliana at juliana@oregonhumanities.org or call at 971-501-6917.
Free First Thursday (Portland Art Museum)
Thursday, January 4, from 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. in person at the Portland Art Museum
Thanks to generous support provided by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All Program, Museum admission is free on the first Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and programs at the newly opened PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are also free. Free First Thursdays at the Museum and PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater aligns with the revitalization of the long-standing Portland art galleries’ tradition of opening their doors for openings, receptions, and events on the first Thursday of each month. In recent months art and culture organizations have joined to bring back this popular activity, including the Pacific Northwest College of Art and the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in the North Park Blocks.
Black Artists of Oregon: Meet the Curator (Portland Art Museum)
Thursday, January 4 and 11 | 1:00 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum
PAM invites visitors to come with your questions every Thursday to meet a curator in the galleries to discuss works in the Black Artists of Oregon exhibition. This informal, one-on-one conversation-based offering is an opportunity to learn more about the artists, their work and the curatorial vision that shaped the exhibition.
Different curators may be present each week and will include Intisar Abioto (Exhibition Curator), Grace Kook-Anderson (The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Northwest Art) and Teena Wilder (Art Bridges Curatorial and Community Partnerships Fellow).
Mosaic Workshop with Crystal Meneses (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, January 6, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. | In person at the Sellwood-Moreland Library | FREE to attend
Passionate about art and libraries? Join artist Crystal Meneses and Activate Arts in creating artwork for the Exterior Site Enclosure at Holgate Library. Crystal is inviting the community to create mosaic tiles as part of a community-centered, community-inspired artwork for the library. These workshops are free, all ages and open to everyone. No prior art or mosaic experience necessary. Just bring your enthusiasm and creative spirit! We look forward to making art with you!
Reading: Anne Broyles and Elizabeth Rusch (Annie Bloom’s)
Thursday, January 11, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. | In person at Annie Bloom’s, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy.,
Portland, OR | FREE to attend
Annie Bloom’s Books welcomes local authors Anne Broyles and Elizabeth Rusch (an Oregon Book Awards finalist!) for an in-store event for their new children’s nonfiction books. Signed and personalized copies of both books are available to order! If you would like the copy personalized, please include the specific request (e.g., “please inscribe to Jane”) in the Comments section of your order.
Our Untapped Treasures: Children and Elders are Problem Solvers too (Oregon Humanities)
Saturday, January 13, at 11:00 a.m. | In person at the Springfield Public Library, 225 5th St., Springfield OR | FREE to attend
There are many reasons why people fail to invite children and elders to the table when it comes to solving problems: “They’re too young.” “They need to be protected from hearing about serious issues.” “I’m sure they care, but the world is a very different place now.” “They’re just going to talk about how things used to be.” “I wouldn’t want my child to be burdened with this reality.” “I don’t want to have to explain the issues repeatedly.” The more serious the issue, the less likely it is that a child or elder will be helping to come up with a solution. We were all children once, and sometimes we had great solutions to problems that adults didn’t have. If we’re fortunate, we’ll all become elderly, and we will have a wealth of experience and accumulated wisdom to share. The goal of this conversation is to encourage people to approach problem solving in a more inclusive manner and ask elders or children to share their ideas. Learn more about this free, in-person event.
Exploring the Power of Family Stories (Beaverton City Library)
Sunday, January 21, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. | In person at Beaverton City Library | Registration required | FREE to attend
This guided writing workshop, led by Lisa Kagan of Family Heirloom Arts, will give participants the opportunity to explore their own cultural inheritance of family stories. How has this inheritance shaped your sense of personal identity, and what will you pass on to the next generation? No previous writing experience necessary. All are welcome! Please register at the link above. This event is part of our library’s One Book, One Beaverton community-wide read program.
Scribble After Dark (AEG)
Sunday, January 21, at 8:00 p.m. | In person at Revolution Hall | Tickets required | 18+
Welcome to Scribble After Dark – Scribble Showdown’s older brother who just got out of jail. Come see five of YouTube’s biggest animators get down & dirty in an improvisational animation game show. Arin Hanson (Egoraptor) and the audience will put Odds1Out, JaidenAnimations, RubberRoss, and Domics through a series of brand new competitive drawing games… the kind of games that can’t be in an All Ages show. So bring your IDs (18+) and get ready to hear the F word.
Tove Danovich in Conversation with Erica Berry (Broadway Books)
Wednesday, January 24, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. | In person at Broadway Books | FREE to attend
Broadway Books is pleased to welcome Tove Danovich and Erica Berry, who will be discussing Tove’s memoir, Under The Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them, newly released in paperback by Agate Publishing.
Writing through Grief (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, January 24, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Online | FREE to attend | Register here
No writing experience is necessary to join this workshop that will guide you through writing prompts to support expressions of grief. This class will provide a welcoming space and the company of others navigating similar experiences. The opportunity to share your completed work will be optional. Though this workshop can be therapeutic, it should not be used in place of professional counseling.
Portland Arts & Lectures: David Grann (Literary Arts)
Thursday, January 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Subscription required
We’re excited to welcome Killers of the Flower Moon author David Grann to Portland. This event is part of our 39th season of Portland Arts & Lectures. A series subscription must be purchased to attend this event. All lectures will be held in person at The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland, OR. For more information on the season, please see our FAQs or reach out to us at la@literary-arts.org.
The Chinese Lady: Afong Moy in Early America (Beaverton City Library)
Thursday, January 25, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Registration required | FREE to attend
Afong Moy was the first recognized Chinese woman to arrive in America, and her presence provided Americans in the 1800s with their first public introduction to China. Nancy E. Davis, author of The Chinese Lady: Afong Moy in Early America, will give context to the real historical figure of Moy who provided the inspiration for Jamie Ford’s novel, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy. This is a virtual event taking place via Zoom; register at the link cited above to receive the Zoom link prior to the presentation. This event is part of Beaverton City Library’s One Book, One Beaverton community-wide read program.
Consider This with John Lee Clark and Jelica Nuccio (Oregon Humanities & Western Oregon University)
Wednesday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. | Online and in-person at Werner University Center, 345 Monmouth Ave. N., Western Oregon University, Monmouth OR | FREE to attend | RSVP here
Jelica Nuccio and John Lee Clark are DeafBlind trainers in Protactile language, which emerged within the DeafBlind community. Nuccio is the founder of a Protactile training center in Monmouth, and Clark is an author and educator from Minnesota. In their teaching, writing, and community-building, Nuccio and Clark work toward full presence and deep connection. This Consider This event, scheduled near the conclusion of a national Protactile language training convening at Western Oregon University, will explore belonging amid differences of language, perception, and other fundamental parts of our daily lives. The conversation will be conducted in Protactile and spoken English with the assistance of interpreters, and it has been designed with both in-person and online audiences in mind. This event will be ASL interpreted. Read more about this event and RSVP here.
Family Legacies: Stories of Love, Loss & Everything in Between (Beaverton City Library)
Saturday, February 3, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. | In person at Beaverton City Library | FREE to attend
Every family has a tale to tell. . . . Join us for an afternoon of live storytelling on stage! Our veteran storytellers will regale the audience with their true, personal family stories. This event is part of our library’s One Book, One Beaverton community-wide read program.
Black Girl You Are Atlas: Reading and Conversation (Powell’s Books)
Saturday, February 17, at 3:00 p.m. | In person at Powell’s City of Books | FREE to attend
In her new semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Literary Arts board member Renée Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland, tender odes to the Black women in her life, and urgent calls for Black girls to step into their power. Black Girl You Are Atlas (Kokila) encourages young readers to embrace their future with a strong sense of sisterhood and celebration. With full-color art by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes throughout, this collection offers guidance and is a gift for anyone who reads it.
Policing Justice (PICA)
Opening Reception: Friday, February 23, 2024 / 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Exhibition Dates: February 23 – May 12, 2024 | Symposium: March 9, 2024 | In-person at PICA, 15 NE Hancock Street, Portland, OR 97212 | Price: Exhibition, Free / Workshops & Performances, free or sliding scale
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) announces a major forthcoming exhibition
Policing Justice. Guest curated by Nina Amstutz, Associate Professor of the History of Art and Architecture at the University of Oregon, and Cleo Davis, local social construct artist, designer, educator, historian, and community leader, this exhibition examines policing practices in Portland, Oregon, and their relationship to longer local and national histories of oppression through the lens of artists who call Portland their home and those who have witnessed and documented police brutality
across the globe.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Worlds Within Words: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Multimedia Memoir (Oregon Humanities)
January 15 to March 16, 2024 (Register by January 11)
3 Credits (Bard College) | online via Zoom | Register here | FREE TO ATTEND
A memoir is a personal narrative, told from the perspective of the author, about an important part of their life. This free, for-credit course explores the vast, rewarding potential of this expressive storytelling form. Discover different approaches to creating and sharing personal narratives with guidance from experienced instructors, accomplished writers, and even a publisher. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of short memoirs from across cultures and generations to inspire your own storytelling. Uncover possibilities for crafting and publishing personal narratives, whether it be through the written word, spoken expression, or visual storytelling. Everyone who completes the course will create at least one memoir piece, regardless of whether you think you have a story to tell, and even if you think you “don’t know how to write.”
Funding Opportunity: Latino Poetry (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: January 5
Grants of $1,200 are available to libraries and other public institutions for programs exploring Latino poetry and its ongoing relevance to American national life. Applications are open to all public, academic, and community college libraries, museums, and nonprofit community organizations. Grants may be used for: honoraria for local poets and scholars; travel expenses; actor/performer fees; publicity and promotion; refreshments; or other costs associated with programs.
Nominate Oregon’s Next Poet Laureate (Oregon Cultural Trust)
Deadline: January 12
Nominations for Oregon’s next poet laureate are open! Information about nominations the the laureate position can be found on the Oregon Cultural Trust’s website here. Poets can nominate themselves, or be nominated by others. Nominations are accepted through January 8, 2024.
For High School Students: Poetry Out Loud
Deadline to register: January 12
Participate in Poetry Out Loud! Poetry Out Loud is a contest open to all Oregon high school students. It is a free program encouraging young performers to learn about great poems through memorization and competitive performance. It is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation in cooperation with the Oregon Arts Commission and other state arts agencies. To participate, schools or non-profit organizations host competitions where students perform poetry from the Poetry Out Loud catalog. The top two performers at each school or organization can then compete in the statewide semi-finals and the top students move on to the state finals on March 9th, 2024. One Oregon student will go on to compete in DC at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. To learn more and sign up, email Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, Aimee Craig, at aimee@seechangenw.org.
Sign Up for The Stafford Challenge
Begins: January 17
The Stafford Challenge is a commitment to join a community of poets who are writing a poem every day for a year, inspired by the legendary poet William Stafford who made it a practice to craft a daily poem. As part of this endeavor, there will be monthly Guest Poet Zoom events featuring accomplished poets who’ll impart their wisdom, share their work, offer inspiration, and celebrate the magic of poetry, including Kim Stafford, Naomi Shihab Nye, Emmett Wheatfall, Lauren Camp and more. Learn more and sign up at https://staffordchallenge.com
Conversation Project Leaders Wanted (Oregon Humanities)
Deadline: January 31
Oregon Humanities is looking for people who want to facilitate conversations that get people talking, listening, and connecting to one another. Read the full description below, then submit an application online for each topic you wish to propose. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2024. Click here for the application.
Volunteer Writers Needed: Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots is seeking volunteer writers for their website and blog. Interested writers can connect with them via phone at 1-877-473-8223 or via email at volunteer@petsforpatriots.org.
Creative (Writing) Drop-In Sessions (with Haldane King, MFA)
Every Wednesday, from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
In person at the Vintage Conference Room. Vida Coworking Space, 401 NE 19th Avenue Suite #200, Portland, OR and online via Google Meet
Email HaldaneKing@gmail.com to sign up
Haldane King is an author and facilitator currently working with the Why There Are Words Literary Organization. He has an MFA in Writing & Consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies. The Creative (Writing) Drop-in is open to everyone and all forms of creative expression, with an emphasis on the written form.
WNDB IS SEEKING 2024 MENTORS
Are you a traditionally published author or illustrator? WNDB mentors are paid a stipend of $1,000 and work one-on-one with an unpublished writer or illustrator for the entire year (January-December 2024). Mentors must be traditionally published with three or more forthcoming/published books in their category, either: Illustration, Picture Book, Middle Grade, or Young Adult. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please email mentor@diversebooks.org with the subject line ‘2024 WNDB Mentor,’ with your name, your publication history, and the genre you are seeking to mentor.
FOR KIDS/ TEENS
BIPOC Children’s Book Fair (The Carl Brandon Society)
Saturday, December 23, 2023, 12:00–4:00 p.m. | In person at the Norse Hall Grand Ballroom, 111 NE 11th Avenue | Tickets: $5 for ages 3+ | Masks required
The Carl Brandon Society is proud to launch an inaugural BIPOC Children’s Book Fair in Portland, Oregon! The BIPOC Book Fair is open to all children and families and will include books for kids ages 3 to 17 from genres including adventure, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, contemporary, non-fiction, and more. All of the books on offer are written by BIPOC authors with BIPOC characters. Book sales will be handled by Sistah Scifi, the first Black owned bookstore focused on science fiction and fantasy in the United States. In addition to books available for sale, children and teens attending the book fair will select a book of their choice to take home free, meet award-winning BIPOC authors, and can get autographs from attending authors.
Kids’ Storytime: How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Saturday, December 23, 2023, 10:30 a.m. | In person at Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR | FREE
When Santa arrives at a child’s house on Christmas Eve, does he go down the chimney feetfirst or headfirst? What if he gets stuck? What if there’s no chimney? Maybe he slides under the door, as thin as a piece of paper? Or is it possible he pours himself through the faucet? What happens once he’s inside? Whether it’s shape-shifting or impromptu laundry use, Mac Barnett’s iconic talent for earnest deadpan humor and Jon Klassen’s irresistibly funny art honor the timeless question with answers both ridiculous and plausible, mounting in hilarity as the night continues. Channeling a child’s fanciful explanations (and begging for further speculation), this latest collaboration by a New York Times best-selling team will find a secure spot among family holiday traditions.
Storytelling through Art with Medicine Bear (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, January 9, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. | In person at the Rockwood Library | FREE to attend
Engage the senses with music, dance, art, storytelling and crafting. Redstone Rudy will lead you on an exploration of cultural identity through the arts. This is a series of interconnected workshop sessions building to a final event. Learn about First People’s cultures and about yourself, and find empowering and healing connections to cultural knowledge. For youth grades 4 – 12.
Goodnight Moon (Oregon Children’s Theater)
January 15–February 11, various times | In person at Winningstad Theatre | Tickets required
Join us in the Great Green Room, where this beloved children’s story comes to life on stage! See the three little bears, the pair of kittens, the young mouse, and the cow jump over the moon as we say goodnight to them all alongside little Bunny in this magical, musical tale.
Kids’ Story & Art Class at Awake Coffee & Art!
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Awake Coffee & Art, 7325 SE Milwalkie Ave, Portland, OR | Costs $8
Bring your little ones Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. for a storybook reading and art session!
We’ll have a hands-on art project after the reading. It could be water-color painting, making and playing with play dough, or another creative project to engage the young artists’ talents! All materials included!
Bubbles + Books Story Time at Hammer + Jacks
Fridays at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. | In person at the Rec room at Hammer + Jacks, 406 SE Foster Road, Portland, OR | Recommended donation $5+ per child
Join us every Friday morning for weekly story time! Movement, music, reading, and BUBBLES! Storytime runs about 25-30 minutes and includes an opening song + dance followed by alternating stories, sing-alongs, and movement breaks! There are also bubbles! The event closes with a goodbye song and final dance for those wanting a little extra movement before departure! This is a great mid-morning activity for parents and children that squeezes in a lot of fun and reading! This event’s best for babies and preschoolers, but older siblings are welcome too. 😊 Shakers are provided; you’re welcome to bring your own items for music and movement! Recommended donation is $5+ per child. No family will be turned away for lack of donation.
IN THE NEWS
Giving and the Oregon Cultural Tax Credit (Oregon ArtsWatch)
Literary Arts is one of the organizations you can donate to if you want to double your impact!
Justin Torres, Author of ‘Blackouts,’ Wins National Book Award for Fiction (New York Times)
We were honored to host Torres at Portland Book Festival this past November!
Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani Is Rewriting the Role (Portland Monthly)
Take a moment to read Portland Monthly’s incredible profile on Anis Mojgani, Oregon poet laureate. We’re so grateful and honored to work with him on our Board of Directors and as the host of our youth poetry slam championship, Verselandia!
Portland Author Hanif Fazal’s Memoir Offers a Vision for Impactful DEI Work (The Skanner)
We’re honored to host Fazal this month for our BIPOC Reading Series as the featured reader!
Portland Book Festival: Viet Thanh Nguyen and Tommy Orange and the politics of unity and solidarity (Oregon ArtsWatch)
Enjoy an article about our excellent 2023 Portland Book Festival event!
RECOMMENDED READING
A Booklover’s Guide to Portland (Travel Portland)
New Releases for Native American Heritage Month 2023 (Powell’s)
10 New Books From Around the World (Powell’s)
Local Resources for Writers (Multnomah County Library)
Community News Submissions
Let us know if you have any events, news to share, or opportunities for writers for the In the Community blog and we will consider adding it to the next blog post!
