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
Sign-Up for The Stafford Challenge (The Stafford Challenge)
This event is ongoing
Join The Stafford Challenge, a transformative year-long poetry journey inspired by the daily practice of William Stafford. Beginning January 17, 2025—Stafford’s birthday—you’ll commit to writing a poem a day alongside a global community of poets. Enjoy inspiring monthly events featuring renowned Guest Poets such as Kim Stafford, Naomi Shihab Nye, Erika Meitner, and more. Learn more and register at staffordchallenge.com.
Poetry Practice Space | (IPRC)
Thursday, February 20, from 7:00–8:00 p.m., | IPRC | Online via Zoom
Poetry Practice Space is a monthly gathering for poets and writers. Readings and prompts for generative writing will be provided. Come share a space to talk about your writing practice, and current writing projects, bemoan rejections, celebrate acceptances, share writing resources— and write together! Consider Poetry Practice Space the calisthenics for your poetics.
Dibujemos Juntos a Solito / Drawing Solito Together (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, February 22 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Rockwood Library, 17917 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR 97233
Disfrute de una tarde bilingüe en español de dibujo, narración de cuentos y conexión. Diana Marcela Cuartas y Marissa Perez de El Conocimiento Migrante dirigirán una sesión de dibujo inspirada en Solito. No se necesita experiencia ¡simplemente traiga su curiosidad para dibujar juntos nuestras historias!
A Path to Home: A panel discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, February 26 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Central Library, 801 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
Finding safety, meaningful work, people who speak your language–these are some of the challenges facing people who have left their homeland. Hear from some of the passionate people whose mission is to serve immigrants in Oregon. Join Pueblo Unido and the Collective of Indigenous Interpreters of Oregon in a conversation moderated by Stephen Manning of Innovation Law Lab.
Ecos del Sur (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, March 1 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97217
Disfrute de los sonidos de Ecos del Sur mientras interpretan música folclórica de América Central y del Sur. Enjoy the sounds of Ecos del Sur as they perform folk music from Central and South America.
Who Belongs? A creative theatre workshop & panel discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, March 1 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233
Hand2Mouth Theatre leads an on-your-feet, improv-style workshop to explore themes of migration and displacement. This part of the event requires registering beforehand, as there is limited capacity for participation. The workshop will be followed by a talk with local artists who focus on understanding and addressing displacement, conflict, borders, and the oppressed. This half does not require registration, and begins at 3pm.
Discuss Solito at Broadway Books (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, March 4 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
Join the booksellers at Broadway Books to discuss Zamora’s Solito.
La Cocina de las Patronas: Film Screening & Discussion (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, March 5 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth Street
Portland, OR 97217
For over 20 years, a group of women in Mexico have provided meals to Central American migrants who travel atop the U.S. bound train, La Bestia. The mission of “Las Patronas” goes beyond humanitarian assistance, symbolizing resistance against a system that criminalizes migrants. Join us for a film screening followed by a facilitated discussion. Durante más de 20 años, un grupo de mujeres mexicanas conocidas como “Las Patronas” han proporcionado comida a migrantes centroamericanos que viajan sobre el techo del tren, llamado La Bestia, que va hacia los Estados Unidos. Su misión va más allá de la ayuda humanitaria, y simboliza la resistencia en contra de un sistema que criminaliza a los migrantes. A continuación habrá una discusión.
An Evening with Cheryl Strayed (University of Portland)
Thursday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m | Buckley Center Auditorium, 5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Join the University of Portland’s spring Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writer Cheryl Strayed, whose memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is the campus’s ReadUP selection. All are welcome to this free event; book signing to follow.
An Evening with Cheryl Strayed (University of Portland)
Thursday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m | Buckley Center Auditorium, 5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Join the University of Portland’s spring Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writer Cheryl Strayed, whose memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is the campus’s ReadUP selection. All are welcome to this free event; book signing to follow.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | FREE
Bard Bingo at Portland Artist Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs is a lively bingo event hosted by a traveling bard’s musical musings. Held every Tuesday night, this event features four exciting rounds with cards priced at $5 each. It’s cash-only, offering chances to win various prizes such as original artwork, stickers, gift cards, lawn signs, and the coveted jackpot.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Worlds Within Words: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Multimedia Memoir (Oregon Humanities)
January 13–March 20 | Various times | Online via Zoom | FREE
Memoirs and personal narratives are stories, told from the perspectives of the authors, about important parts of their lives. This course explores the vast, rewarding potential of these expressive storytelling forms through reading, writing, podcast, and film.
Prompt Online: Fresh Eyes, Bold Strides (Write Around Portland)
Wednesdays, January 29th to March 19th, 6:00–8:00 p.m., | 8 Sessions | Online via Zoom | $195
Prompt is an 8-week series of connected workshops full of freewriting, listening, and strengths-based feedback. With accountability and community built in, you’ll be able to bundle up all your holiday memories and turn them into beautiful art. Join over Zoom, and write together!
Prompt @ Powell’s City of Books (Write Around Portland)
Tuesdays, January 28th to March 18th, 6:00–8:00 p.m., | 8 Sessions | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 | $295
Prompt is an 8-week writing group full of freewriting, listening, and strengths-based feedback, hosted behind-the-scenes at Powell’s City of Books! With accountability and community built in – as well as a huge selection of books for inspiration – you’ll be sure to come away with tons of new ideas.
Drink and Write Tuesdays (Rose City Book Pub)
Tuesday, February 25, 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212 | FREE
Jeanne Faulkner hosts this drop-in writing workshop on the last Tuesday of every month. Jeanne provides the prompts, tips, and coaching. You bring your computer or notebook.
MVICW Poet & Author Fellowships (Martha’s Institute of Creative Writing)
Deadline: May 1 | Application Fee: $20
The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing is able to provide a number of need and merit-based fellowships (25-40% of registration) to attend our Summer Writers’ Conference. Special consideration is given to applicants demonstrating economic need.
Drink and Write Tuesdays (Rose City Book Pub)
Tuesday, February 25, 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212 | FREE
Jeanne Faulkner hosts this drop-in writing workshop on the last Tuesday of every month. Jeanne provides the prompts, tips, and coaching. You bring your computer or notebook.
FOR KIDS / TEENS
Pete the Cat: A Live Rock Musical (NW Children’s Theater)
March 15 through April 13 | The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway T-100, Portland, OR 97205 | $25-$35
Pete the Cat and company rock out in this fast-paced, globe-trotting musical adventure based on the smash hit book series. Tickets to all shows at The Judy are General Admission.
BOLD Children’s Storytime (University of Portland)
Saturdays, at 10:00 a.m. | Bold Coffee and Books, 1755 SW Jefferson St. Portland, OR 97201 | FREE
Join Bold Coffee and Books every Saturday morning for children’s storytime! Whether an author is here to read their book or on of their staff members is reading a favorite, they will feature stories that spread compassion, awareness, and positivity. Children will get a coloring page or sticker to take home too!
Bookworm Baby Playgroup (Literacy Kid Lounge)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Literacy Kid Lounge, 2200 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove, OR 97267 | $10
Connect with other fantastic families and build lasting friendships in this Literacy Baby Playgroup! There is also a lot of crawling over each other and interactive play with toys and books.
Kids’ Story & Art Class at Awake Coffee & Art!
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. | In person at Awake Coffee & Art | $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!
Kids’ Storytime (Powell’s)
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. | Powell’s City of Books | FREE
Join Powell’s every Saturday for kids’ storytime.
IN THE NEWS
Multnomah County Library discusses this year’s Everybody Reads selection | (KGW 8)
Creativity runs in the family for Theo and Nancy Downes-Le Guin | (Portland Tribune)
48 Books By Women of Color to Read in 2025 | (Electric Lit)
RECOMMENDED READING
Powell’s Picks of the Month (Powell’s)
Los mejores libros en español de 2024 (Multnomah County Library)
Todo el mundo lee 2025: Lecturas para todas las edades (Multnomah County Library)
Everybody Reads 2025 (Multnomah County Library)
Black History Month 2025 – African Americans in Labor (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!
