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
Radical Meditation: a practice of interbeing in times of crisis w/ Janice Lee (Corporeal Writing)
Wednesday, February 21st, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. | Online | Free or sliding scale
Join Corporeal Writing for a monthly meditation and conversation on the practice of sitting or lying in meditation in a time of political, environmental, and personal crisis, especially drawing upon practices and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village. This series is facilitated by Touk Keo and Janice Lee. All experience levels, backgrounds, and ages are welcome.
Airlie Press Reading (Airlie Press & Independent Publishing Resource Center)
Saturday, February 24th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. | In person at Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) | FREE to attend
Join us to celebrate 15 years—and counting—of Airlie Press! Readings by Daneen Bergland, Brittney Corrigan, Donna Henderson, Joy Manesiotis, Anatoly Molotkov, and Valerie Witte; hosted by Jennifer Perrine.
Portland Diary Summit (Portland Diary Summit)
Saturday, February 24th, from 10:00am-8:00 p.m. | In person across multiple locations | Mix of free and ticketed events
A day of art & gatherings for anyone who considers journaling and daily life documenting to be therapeutic, sacred, liberatory, a path to the unconscious or otherwise of interest. See the website for details on events!
Death Cafe (Beaverton City Library)
Wednesday, February 28, from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | In person at Beaverton City Library | FREE to attend
Death and dying aren’t often talked about, but they touch us all. Join us to explore these themes in a relaxed, safe atmosphere. Death Cafe is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Hosted by Wade McJacobs.
Portland Arts & Lectures: Charles Yu (Literary Arts)
Thursday, February 29 from 7:30–9:00 p.m. | In person at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | Tickets required
We are thrilled to welcome Charles Yu, author of Interior Chinatown, to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for the fourth evening of our 39th season of Portland Arts & Lectures! A series subscription must be purchased to attend this event. For more information on the season, please see our FAQs.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Red Hen Press Women’s Prose Prize
Deadline: February 28th, 2024
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press is given annually for a book of fiction or nonfiction by a writer who identifies as a woman. Laila Halaby will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story collection, essay collection, novel, memoir, or other manuscript of prose of 25,000 to 80,000 words with a $25 entry fee by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
2024/25 National Book Foundation Teacher Fellowship Application
Deadline: February 29th, 2024
This Fellowship supports and celebrates 6th-12th grade teachers using innovative methods to make reading for pleasure a part of their students’ school day experience. Teachers will receive a stipend as well as a book buying budget, develop or continue an initiative that promotes reading for pleasure in their classroom, incorporate National Book Award-honored titles into their curriculum, and collaborate with other Fellows through participation in a professional learning community, including an in-person convening in New York City.
Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship
Accepting submissions February 1st–March 18th
The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) invites applications to the second annual Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship (Yamamoto Fellowship). Beginning this year, the Yamamoto Fellowship will focus on a different artistic discipline each year. The 2024 Yamamoto Fellowship grants two $5,000 unrestricted awards to two emerging writers of color who write critically about theater, dance, and/or performance art.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
Toddler Storytime & Play (Sunrise Books)
Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Sunrise Books | FREE to attend
Join Sunrise Books every Thursday at 10 a.m. for toddler storytime! They’ll sing, dance, do a read aloud, and have a rockin’ good time. Perfect for ages 18 months–4 years. This storytime is free; however, they accept donations to keep it going.
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 Milwaukie 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!
They’ll have a hands-on art project after the reading. It could be watercolor painting, making and playing with play dough, or another creative project to engage the young artists’ talents! All materials included!
IN THE NEWS
Warm Springs elder finalist for Oregon Book Award (The Madras Pioneer)
Linfield prof wins Literary Arts fellowship (News-Register)
West Linn author nominated for third Oregon Book Award (West Linn Tidings)
Literary Arts announces 2024 Oregon Book Awards finalists (Oregon ArtsWatch)
Is your favorite a finalist in Oregon Book Awards? Check out the entire list (Portland Tribune)
He Was My Role Model. My Mentor. My Supplier. (The New York Times)
Read this incredible piece written by Literary Arts board member Mitchell S. Jackson.
Kwame Alexander Reads A Poem From “This Is the Honey: An Anthology Of Contemporary Black Poets” (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)
RECOMMENDED READING
10 ways to celebrate Black history at the Library (Multnomah County Library)
Black History Month (Powell’s)
A Booklover’s Guide to Portland (Travel Portland)
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!
