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
Ethnic Studies Summer Institute (Oregon Historical Society)
Tuesday, August 5–Wednesday, August 6, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Oregon Historical Society 1200 SW Park Ave Portland, Oregon 97205 | FREE
Expand the narrative of Oregon history using Integrated Ethnic Studies! Learn from local organizations, collaborate and lesson plan with fellow educators, and leave with classroom-ready resources for teaching a more complete Oregon history that includes the contributions and perspectives of Black, Chinese, Japanese, and Latine Oregonians; tribal history and Native nations; and Holocaust, genocide, and human rights education.
Japanese Printing Techniques Demonstration with Atelier Meridian (Portland Art Museum)
Thursday, August 7, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. | Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR | FREE
Discover the timeless art of Japanese printmaking in this exclusive demonstration hosted by Atelier Meridian, inspired by the exhibition Monet’s Floating Worlds at Giverny. Experience firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship behind traditional Japanese printing techniques, as skilled artists walk you through each step of the process, from woodblock carving to the final inked print.
Midsummer Poetry Series (IPRC)
August 6 through August 27, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. | IPRC, 318 SE Main Street, Portland, OR 97214 | FREE
A four-week poetry seminar of stand-alone sessions that include generative writing & collaborative feedback. Each seminar is a unique session with a specific focus. Come & create new work & have previous work discussed.
Bookstore Romance Day
(Grand Gesture)
Saturday, August 9, Various times | Grand Gesture, 814 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
With Bookstore Romance Day only THREE WEEKS AWAY, Grand Gesture Books is SO excited to announce their panels for Saturday, August 9th!
Bookstore Romance Day (Grand Gesture)
Saturday, August 9, at 7:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont StreetPortland, OR | FREE
A reading followed by a Q&A with the exalted and entertaining Judge Kemp.
Reading: “Live. Love. Leo.” by Judge Kemp (Rose City Book Pub)
Saturday, August 9, at 7:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont StreetPortland, OR | FREE
A reading followed by a Q&A with the exalted and entertaining Judge Kemp.
Nini Berndt, Claire Jia & Olufunke Grace Bankole (Powell’s)
Monday, August 11, at 7:00 p.m. | Annie Bloom’s Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Nini Berndt author of There Are Reasons for This, Claire Jia author of Wanting & Olufunke Grace Bankole author of The Edge of Water in conversation.
Reading: County Highway Newspaper +Q&A (Rose City Book Pub)
Thursday, August 14, at 5:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub 1329 Northeast Fremont StreetPortland, OR | FREE
Editors and writers from The County Highway Newspaper will do a short reading, a longer discussion on the state of the American literary tradition and publishing industry. Plus a Q+A.
Tide & Threshold: Writing Different Worlds in Crushing Times w/ Sia Luna (Corporeal Writing)
Saturday, August 16, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | $50
How do we write our way through grief and rage? How do we transform these forces—not into something softer, but into something true? In times of collapse and constraint, our bodies hold stories too vast for words—grief like an ocean, rage like fire at the edge of our throats. Tide & Threshold is a generative writing workshop that invites you to move with these forces, not against them, using somatic practice and embodied writing to crack open new portals of possibility.
Tide & Threshold: Writing Different Worlds in Crushing Times w/ Sia Luna (Corporeal Writing)
Saturday, August 16, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | $50
How do we write our way through grief and rage? How do we transform these forces—not into something softer, but into something true? In times of collapse and constraint, our bodies hold stories too vast for words—grief like an ocean, rage like fire at the edge of our throats. Tide & Threshold is a generative writing workshop that invites you to move with these forces, not against them, using somatic practice and embodied writing to crack open new portals of possibility.
3rd Annual Mamook Tokatee Block Party (Naya Family Center)
Sunday, August 24, from 1:00–6:00 p.m.| Mamook Tokatee, 4636 NE 42nd Ave Portland, OR | FREE
A reading followed by a Q&A with the exalted and entertaining Judge Kemp.
Letter Writing Social (Broadway Books)
Monday, August 25, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. | Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway St. Portland, OR 97232 | FREE
Letter writing social hosted by Emma Swartz of Squeezebox Press! Meet like-minded snail mail enthusiasts, write letters, and make some new friends. Bring your favorite stationary, markers, washi tape, and accoutrements, or just share what’s provided. It’s always fun and we love welcoming new people who want to join us!
Writing from Joy w Paige Thomas (Attic Institute)
Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St., Suite 405, Portland, OR 97205 | $75
In this three-hour intensive, you will intentionally spend time with joy — to write from it and write about it. Concentrating on two craft techniques that can reenergize a narrative (and ourselves), everyone will end the morning with something new and with thoughtful, joyful momentum.
Poetry Reading: Ken Yoshikawa and Alone Featuring Company (Annie Bloom’s)
Thursday, August 17, at 7:00 p.m. | 7834 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR 97219 | FREE
Annie Bloom’s Books welcomes local poets Ken Yoshikawa and Alone Featuring Company for readings from their collections.
Cookbook Club (Two Rivers Bookstore)
Sunday, August 24, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Two Rivers Bookstore, 8836 N. Lombard St. Portland OR 97203 | FREE
Cookbook Club meets quarterly on Sundays at 4pm. We all buy the same cookbook (this month, there are two options!), chose a recipe and meet potluck style to discuss the various qualities of the cookbook; photos or illustrations, recipe and direction and basically all things related to making a good dish.
2025 Stories to Songs: A Musicians’ Intensive Workshop (Documentary Songwriters)
August 25-August 30, from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Second Story Studios, 1330 NW 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 | $300-Sliding scale
Using DocSong’s 7-step documentary songwriting method, you’llwrite songs out of stories that too often go unsung. In times ofwidespread isolation and fear, this practice becomes a form ofmedicine—creating bridges between people through shared storiesand collaborative music-making. (Apply here)
Karleigh Frisbie Brogan in Conversation With Chelsea Bieker (Powell’s)
Tuesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Karleigh Brogan author of Holding will be joined in conversation by Chelsea Bieker, author of Madwoman.
Doris Kearns Goodwin (Oregon Historical Society)
Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 1037 SW Broadway Avenue Portland, Oregon 97205 | Ticket prices vary
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author, and a partner in Pastimes Productions.
The A.M. Memoir Workshop w Laura Moulton (Attic Institute)
Mondays, September 22–October 27, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. | Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St., Suite 405, Portland, OR 97205 | $245
In this three-hour intensive, you will intentionally spend time with joy — to write from it and write about it. Concentrating on two craft techniques that can reenergize a narrative (and ourselves), everyone will end the morning with something new and with thoughtful, joyful momentum.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | $5
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.
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
The Art of Prose Poetry Workshop with Craig Brandis (Attic Institute)
July 10–August 14, from 6:30–8:00 p.m | Online Via Zoom | $249
Have you been wondering how to make exciting poems that combine the best elements of poetry and prose? The secret to prose poetry lies in layering cadences within narrative verse. Focus on building layers of rhythm, emotional resonance and imagery within storytelling. Apply those lessons to your own poems.
Resonate: A BIPOC Writing Circle (Write Around Portland)
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month | 4:00–5:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Led by a Write Around Portland facilitator of color, Resonate consists of writing, sharing, and giving strengths-based feedback to each other. No preparation or experience in writing is required! Resonate is a great way to unlock your creativity, build or maintain a writing practice, and get some writing done! REGISTER HERE.
Reading James Baldwin, Session 6: Rachel Cohen—Baldwin & Delaney (Author’s Guild)
Thursday, July 24, at 2:00 p.m (EST) | Online via Zoom | $10 – $40
In this class, you’ll will read the two key essays that Baldwin wrote about Delaney; we’ll learn something of the periods when they shared an apartment—first in the Village, later in Clamart, near Paris—and you’ll look closely at several of the huge number of portraits Delaney painted of Baldwin. This will allow you to delve into the complex reciprocity between their two visions of the world and of themselves.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
2026 Howling Bird Press Short Nonfiction Prize (Howling Bird Press)
Deadline: August 31, 2025 | Prize: $2,500
 The competition is open to all writers in English. Author of the winning manuscript receives a cash award of $2,500, which serves as an advance, with book subsequently published by Howling Bird Press under a standard book contract.
Off The Grid Poetry Prize (Off The Grid)
Deadline: August 31, 2025 | Prize: $1,000Â
The Off the Grid Prize recognizes the work of older poets and highlights important contemporary voices in poetry. Winners receive $1000 and publication, promotion, and distribution of their book in print and audio formats. We are looking for work by poets over 60, whose writing practice is ongoing and whose vision is fresh while drawing from six or more decades of lived experience.
FOR KIDS & TEENS
Summer Lunches 2025 (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, August 5, 12:15–1:00 p.m. | Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233 | FREE
Children ages 1-18 are invited to enjoy free summer lunch at Midland Library. No reservations/sign-ups required. Lunch is served cold and will be served indoors. We have coloring sheets, crafts, and Friday movies!! Join us!
Summer Reading: Little Bears Felting with LeBrie Rich (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, August 5, 5:00–7:00 p.m. | Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Park Road Troutdale, OR 97060 | Registration required
Have you been wanting to learn to felt animals? This class is for you! Join artist LeBrie Rich to learn how to sculpt wool with a felting needle. We will make a little bear so you can practice joining wool shapes and sculpting the muzzle. You’ll learn all about needle felting: what types of fibers work best, selecting appropriate felting needles for your projects and next steps to continue your felting adventure after the class ends.
Summer Reading: Goats at your library – with stories! (Multnomah County Library)
Thursday, August 7, 11:00–12:00 a.m. | Kenton Library, 8226 N Denver Avenue Portland, OR 97217 | FREE
A storytime for all ages… with goats! Come to your library and meet four Nigerian Dwarf goats from Goat it! Listen to stories, sing songs and ask questions about the goats! Pet them and learn more about these amazing and snuggly animals. Goats are wonderful for providing relaxation, amusement and joy!
Summer Lunches 2025 (Multnomah County Library)
Tuesday, August 15, 12:15–1:00 p.m. | Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97233 | FREE
Children ages 1-18 are invited to enjoy free summer lunch at Midland Library. No reservations/sign-ups required. Lunch is served cold and will be served indoors. We have coloring sheets, crafts, and Friday movies!! Join us!
Bard Storytime (Wonderwood)
Every Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 7410 N. Chicago Ave. Portland, OR | FREE
Join us every Saturday as Gerard Bardler (the bard of Wonderwood) reads stories and sings songs! Books generously donated by our neighbors Twin Rivers Books. Family friend, family fun, FREE!
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (The Judy)
July 19–August 3 | The Judy, 1000 SW Broadway, T-100 Portland, OR | $20–$25
Zeus’s lightning bolt has been stolen and the prime suspect is 12-year-old Percy Jackson. With the Olympic gods on the verge of war, Percy and his friends must face danger, battle mythical beasts, and clear Percy’s name before it’s too late. Tickets to all shows at The Judy are General Admission.
Summer Camp: The Legend of Percy Jackson (The Northwest Children’s Theater)
July 28-August 8, 2025 | The Reser 12625 SW Crescent St, Beaverton OR 97005 | $999
Embark on an epic adventure this summer at Camp Half-Blood! Inspired by the adventures of Percy Jackson this performance camp lets young heroes step into the role of gods and monsters as they bring legends to life. Unleash your inner hero and make your summer worthy of myth!
IN THE NEWS
Op-ed: A case for art in urgent times
(Oregonian / Oregonlive)
RECOMMENDED READING
Encounters with the abyss: science fiction about being lost in space | (Multnomah County Library)
Animal fantasy and shape-changers | (Multnomah County Library)
Staff Picks | (The Literary Arts Bookstore)
Powell’s Picks of the Month | (Powell’s)
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!
