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
Cinema Unbound Outdoor Movies (PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow)
Through July 31, at 8:00 p.m. | Tickets $20 (use code PAMCUT50 for 50% off)
In person at The Bridge Lot at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR
PAM CUT continues the Portland tradition of watching a film under the stars and makes it a little extra, with thematic and experiential surprises galore. A PAM CUT summer screening will be a complete experience, with giveaways, contests, games, and sing-alongs that make the film come alive in new and exciting ways. Think Face/Off with Nic Cage or John Travolta facemasks, a BYO Stuffed Animal sing-along for Sing 2, dancing lessons with Strictly Ballroom, dress-up nights galore, plus DJs and specialty drinks to make the night more eventful than sharing a pint of ice cream on the couch. Doors open at 8 p.m. with food and beverages available for purchase. Music begins at 8 p.m. & films (listed below) begin at dusk. Limited seating available. Bring your own chairs for comfort and ease.
Thursday, July 21: Shrek (ONLY $5!)
Friday, July 22: D.E.B.S.
Saturday, July 23: Earth Girls are Easy
Sunday, July 24: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Thursday, July 28: Monsoon Wedding (Featuring a DJ set from DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid)
Friday, July 29: Ghostbusters
Saturday, July 30: Magic Mike XXL
Sunday, July 31: The Shining
Music on Main (Portland’5 and the ArtBar & Bistro)
Wednesdays through August 24, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Free to attend | Outside on Main Street—Next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
On Wednesday evenings starting on July 13, Portland’5 takes advantage of the summer weather in Portland to present the Music on Main concert series. The free outdoor concerts are held on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall—between Southwest Broadway and Park Avenue in downtown Portland—and feature popular local musicians playing a diverse collection of music. Music on Main is open to the public and the concerts run from 5:00–7:00 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend. Seating is available on a first come, first-served basis—tickets are not required.
July 20: Redray Frazier (rock ‘n’ soul troubadour)
July 27: Jackstraw (bluegrass)
Aug. 3: Grupo Masato (chicha, cumbia & Afro-Peruvian)
Aug. 10: My Siamese Twin (’80s tribute)
Aug. 17: Outer Orbit (funk soul collective)
Aug. 24: Jujuba (Nigerian Afrobeat and juju)
Michael Pollan’s This is Your Mind on Plants Ticketed Event (Powell’s Books)
Wednesday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m.
In person at the Newmark Theater,1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR | Tickets $28
From Michael Pollan comes a radical challenge to how we think about drugs, and an exploration into the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants—and the equally powerful taboos. Pollan will be joined in conversation by Dave Miller, host of OPB’s Think Out Loud. Tickets for this event are $28 (before service charges) and include admission, as well as one paperback copy of This Is Your Mind on Plants (distributed at event).
Reading: Reprobate/GobQ Books Celebrates Summer!
Friday, July 29, from 7:30–8:30 p.m.
In person at the Rose City Book Pub, 1329 NE Fremont St., Portland, OR
Michael Shay, R. V. Branham, and M. F. McAuliffe will read selections from A White Concrete Day by Holbrook Award winner Douglas Spangle, as well as from their own books and new work. This event is free and open to the public.
Opening Day Celebration for the Congressman Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
Sunday, July 31, from 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
In person in various spots across the Lloyd District and Central Eastside
You’re invited to a community celebration of Portland’s newest car-free bridge! Join in for pop-up block parties on nearby streets, design tours, pedestrian and bike parades, and meet local vendors and community organizations all gathering to celebrate the bridge’s opening day.
Spoke’n Words 2: A Pedalpalooza Ride (Oregon Humanities)
Wednesday, August 3, at 6:15 p.m. | Free to attend
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pedalpalooza, Portland’s citywide summer bike fun celebration, with the followup to last year’s sweetly successful Spoke’n Words ride! Join Oregon Poet Laureate (and Literary Arts board member) Anis Mojgani and some of his poet friends for a unique and interactive Pedalpalooza bike ride through Portland. We’ll roll to a playlist curated by Anis, experience poetic performances in some unexpected locations, and maybe even be inspired to write a bit ourselves as we explore the city. The ride will last approximately two hours, including stops and performances, with about 4.5 miles of mostly flat traveling. This is a free event. No RSVP is required. Please view the Pedalpalooza website for full details and more information.
53rd Annual Willamette Writers Conference
August 3–7, 2022 | Both virtual & in person at Crown Plaza Hotel, 1441 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR
Transform Your Writing Life this August 3–7 at the 53rd annual Willamette Writers Conference! Join to find your writing community, develop your craft and expand your career—both in person and online. At the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Portland and at your own computer screen, you’ll find workshops, keynotes, critiques and pitches, all aimed at helping you take that next step in your writing life. Over 50 industry professionals will join to share their expertise and knowledge of the publishing industry.
Writer’s Fair with Willamette Writers
Thursday, August 4, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Free to attend | In person at Crown Plaza Hotel, 1441 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR
Are you a writer? Come find your community at the Writer’s Fair with Willamette Writers at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this August. Free and open to the public.
Meet writing organizations, ask questions, get tips, and try out new writing tools.
You’ll network with writers from every genre, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all coming together with similar goals: to connect with their communities, develop their craft, and expand their careers. Our incredible Programs for Writers team will be available at a table. Join us at the fair!
In-Store Poetry Reading: A. Molotkov and Susan Leslie Moore (Annie Bloom’s Books)
Monday, August 29, 2022, from 7:00–8:00 p.m.
In person at Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR
Annie Bloom’s welcomes Portland poets A. Molotkov and Susan Leslie Moore (our Director of Programs for Writers!) for an in-store reading from their latest collections.This in-store reading is first come, first served. Seating is limited. Please be mindful of any store health policies that might be in effect on the night of the reading. Signed and personalized copies of both poets’ books are available! Please, please, please include the name for personalization in the order notes; all orders without a name specified in the order notes will be signed only.
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. We’re honored to participate through our radio show and podcast The Archive Project, and will be recording a live interview on Sunday, August 7. Check out the full 2022 lineup!
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Casting Call: America’s Next Great Author
America’s Next Great Author is a reality television series where first, nationwide tryouts in iconic American cities show off amateur writers as they get one minute to pitch their book ideas to a panel of publishing experts. Six charismatic finalists from vastly different places and backgrounds enter the Writer’s Retreat together for a month of live-wire challenges and spectacular storytelling. These talented amateurs have to start their books from scratch on day one of the Retreat and finish by the end of the thirty days. Pitch your book to our panel of judges in San Francisco and you could win $2,500! The judges critique everything from idea to style to potential in the literary marketplace and everyone comes away with concrete advice from publishing industry professionals.
Call for Applications: The Portfolio Program (Independent Publishing Resource Center)
Accepting applications July 1–August 5
The IPRC’s Portfolio Program is currently accepting applications July 1st through August 5th. Formerly known as the Certificate Program, the Portfolio Program is a yearlong course of study that combines creative writing workshops with hands-on experience in the IPRC’s print studios. Working in small cohorts over the course of three terms, students create a portfolio of creative writing, 1-3 broadsides, print ephemera, book forms, zines, and art books. To showcase works in progress, students are invited to share during quarterly readings & open studios.
Call for Submissions: Poetry Moves (Artstra)
Deadline: July 31
The nonprofit Artstra is accepting submissions for Season 12 of its Poetry Moves program, for a new group of poems to be showcased on C-Tran buses. The program welcomes poets of any age living in the Vancouver-Portland regional area served by C-Tran. A maximum of two poems may be submitted, each of which must not exceed seven lines (no more than 50 characters per line) and must be the poet’s original work. Each poet whose work is selected will receive a $100 honorarium. Ten poems will be displayed in C-Tran buses beginning September 2022.
Lynn Shelton “Of A Certain Age” Grant (Northwest Film Forum)
Deadline: August 2
Now in its third year, the Lynn Shelton “Of A Certain Age” grant awards $20,000 to a US-based woman, non-binary, or transgender filmmaker, age 39 or older, who has yet to direct a narrative feature. Similar to the previous iteration, the grant will be a national open call, and seeks to recognize a film director for their distinct vision, storytelling, and singularity. The recipient of the 2021 installment was Erica Tremblay, a Seneca–Cayuga American documentary film director. To be eligible for this grant, applicants must identify as either a woman, non-binary, intersex, or transgender; be applying as an individual (not a team); be 39 years or older by application deadline (proof of identification will be required upon finalist award); have “director” credit on at least one short film or feature documentary; and be able to receive income in the US.
Call for Instructors: Chapbook Design Instructor (IPRC)
The IPRC is currently seeking a Chapbook Design Instructor for Fall 2022 for an 8 week workshop focusing on InDesign book layout for chapbook projects ranging from 5–35 pages. Please reach out to info@iprc.org to inquire, résumé or C.V. optional.
Tin House Autumn Fiction Workshop: November 3–7, 2022
Deadline: August 14
The Tin House Autumn Workshop is a weekend intensive for fiction writers that consist of curated workshops with six participants per class, one-on-one meetings with faculty, craft lectures, generative exercises, and readings. There will be plenty of opportunities for mingling, sightseeing, and, of course, karaoke. Saturday, November 5th, is reserved for attending the Portland Book Festival. Admission to the festival is included in the tuition price. Once accepted and registered, workshop participants who have a completed manuscript may also apply for a mentorship (a full manuscript review) with select faculty for an additional fee.
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.
Call To Artists: Main Street Commons Public Art (Tualatin Valley Creates)
Deadline: August 31
Tualatin Valley Creates (TVC), the leading art service organization for Washington County, Oregon is administering a call for public art for Henry Point Development (HPD), a locally-focused company working to reimagine historical ‘Main Street’ buildings for today’s business needs and community lifestyles. In partnership with the City of Hillsboro, HPD has committed multiple exterior facades on their newest acquisition, the old US Bank Building located in the heart of Hillsboro’s Cultural Art District on the south east corner of E Main Street and SE 2nd Ave, Downtown Hillsboro for public art installations.
Call for Applications: Artists in Residence 2023 (Caldera Arts)
Deadline: October 3
The Artists in Residence Program supports artists, creatives, and cultural workers by awarding time, space, and unrestricted stipends to work on projects and build skills and relationships that inspire growth, abolish oppression, and activate change. Residents draw inspiration from the residency community and the natural world surrounding our Arts Center in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains near Sisters, Oregon. The application is open to regional and national, creatives and cultural workers in all disciplines. Artists and collaborative groups at any stage of their careers are eligible to apply, except for those enrolled in a degree-granting program. Residencies are also available for parent artists who would like to bring their children. Residents will receive private lodging with a bathroom and kitchenette, studio or workspace, artist stipend, and the opportunity to engage the Caldera Art community through teaching, skill shares, and social media.
Call for Submissions: 500 Words (Khôra)
Reviewed on a rolling basis
Team-based, collaborative, and curated, Khôra is a form that is continually opening. They invite you to join us in sustaining it together. Khôra’s 500 Words is about considering how multiple voices can be heard; how frameworks, traditions, and projects can inform each other; and how new perspectives emerge from collaboration and openness. Send them 500 Words and you’ll see an automated notice that they’ve received your work. Your words will always remain active in Khôra’s ocean. This doesn’t need to be a completed piece—think of it like a sample of your work at any length up to 500 words. You can send 500 Words more than once—there’s no limit to how many times you can send us new work; just no repeats, please.
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.
Call for Submissions (Western New Mexico University)
Reviewed on a rolling basis
Mimbres Press welcomes submissions in the following genres: literary fiction, creative non-fiction, essays, memoir, poetry, children’s books, historical fiction, and academic books. They are particularly interested in academic work and commercial work with a strong social message. Both agented and unagented submissions are welcome from both new and previously published authors.
FOR KIDS/ TEENS
Summer 2022 Reading Camp (The Bookmobile Babe)
Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 28–August 18, from 12:00–1:30 p.m.
In-person at Lents Park, 4808 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR
No sign ups required | All Ages Welcome
Free summer reading camp Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lents Park, near the restrooms and playground, from Noon until 1:30 pm. All Ages, no sign-ups required. Just show up, bring us some books from home you no longer need and get some of our free books, and free lunch!
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 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.
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
OSU history professor Jacob Darwin Hamblin wins Oregon Book Award (Lebanon Express)
An article on Jacob Darwin Hamblin’s Oregon Book Award win!
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!
Resurrection on a Daily Basis: Exploring The Hurting Kind with Ada Limón (The Rumpus)
Ada Limón is one of our 2022/23 Portland Arts & Lectures (PAL) authors. This is a gorgeous interview on her latest book, The Hurting Kind.
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.
RECOMMENDED READING
20 Totally FREE Things to Do in Portland This Summer (Portland Monthly)
This article has some great events, including our monthly free poetry slam Slamlandia!
Summer Reading Suggestions (The New York Times)
This reading list includes 22/23 Portland Arts & Lectures speaker Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Afterlives!
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!
Midyear Roundup 2022: The Best Books of the Year (So Far) (Powell’s Books)
This list includes 22/23 PAL author Ada Limón’s The Hurting Kind among other titles!
Emily Menges’ literary newspaper ‘Bel Esprit’ grows, building on Portland’s creative writing community (The Oregonian)
A literary newspaper started in 2020 by Portland Thorns player Emily Menges recently added a monthly print edition. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast,” the newspaper gives local writers the opportunity to publish their poetry, essays + short stories, while also providing news content + crossword puzzles.
There’s a Poetry Hotline You Can Call at Any Time of Day to Hear Beautiful Words Recited (Willamette Week)
Featuring Literary Arts board member and Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani!
Broadsided Press: Fifteen Years of Poetic and Artistic Collaboration, 2005-2020
We’re thrilled to see Writing Class Instructor Jennifer Perrine has work in the newly published Broadsided Press: Fifteen Years of Poetic and Artistic Collaboration, 2005–2020!
