Workshops

Writing the Short Poem–Online through The Loft

Feb. 6-April 15, 2012

 Have you been told that your poems read like prose, or that “maybe that poem would work better as a short story”? Do you have trouble deciding what to cut from your rough drafts? One of the characteristics that makes poetry poetic is the compression of language. In this course, we will read and discuss a variety of short poems, practice cutting extraneous language from poems (by others and by you), and think about what kinds of language can (should?) almost always be cut. We will work with your drafts, old and new, and generate new poems with an emphasis on compression and concision. We will explore a variety of short forms as well as concise free verse.

Class details and Online Registration–CLICK HERE

Here’s what a student currently in the class has to say:

The Loft classroom format is easy to use and extremely convenient. LouAnn’s workshop in the short poem has been challenging and engaging. Each week she provides different topics and exercises which have really helped me excel with the craft of poetry. Her feedback on work is very thorough, and she has allowed me to see my poems in a new light and to become more concise.

~Linda C., Cedar Grove, NJ

Writing the Short Poem–Online through The Loft

Sept. 26-Dec. 9, 2011

Have you been told that your poems read like prose, or that “maybe that poem would work better as a short story”? Do you have trouble deciding what to cut from your rough drafts? One of the characteristics that makes poetry poetic is the compression of language. In this course, we will read and discuss a variety of short poems, practice cutting extraneous language from poems (by others and by you), and think about what kinds of language can (should?) almost always be cut. We will work with your drafts, old and new, and generate new poems with an emphasis on compression and concision. We will explore a variety of short forms as well as concise free verse.

Class details and Online Registration–CLICK HERE

The Art of Ekphrastic Poetry—A Writers’ Workshop

August 31-Sept. 24

Ekphrastic Poetry is poetry written about or in response to other forms of art, usually visual art. In this workshop, we will explore Exphrasis—reading Ekphrasitic poems by well-known and not-so-well-known poets, and trying our own writing in this genre.  All the while, we will be surrounded by Old Masters’ paintings from the 15^th and 16^th centuries and Nigerian art and artifacts, as well as more modern works.  We will take some of our inspiration from these works, and some from the participants’ favorite artwork from outside the museum.  The emphasis will be on generating new poems and bringing them  to the group for sharing, discussion and gentle critique.  The class will culminate with a reading (optional) on Sept. 24, 2:30-4 pm at the Nemeth Art Center, as part of Park Rapids’ annual Art Leap event, and some poems may be hung next to the artwork that inspired the poem.

Dates and times:  Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8 at Nemeth Art Center, August 31, Sept 7, 14 & 21, with optional reading Sept. 24, 2:30-4 pm

Where: Nemeth Art Center (formerly North Country Museum of Arts), 301 Court Street, Park Rapids, MN

Cost: $80  (contact me if in need of a scholarship)

 Who: older  teens (17 and up) and adults

To Register:  Call the Nemeth Art Center at 218-237-5900, or email Kelly  at kelly@ncmapr.com