March 3, 2021 | 5:00-6:30pm
At this time in our society, we are teetering on the edge of monumental change. Our generation has the chance to redirect the patterns, hardships, and stigmas of our past and create a brighter future. Every individual is capable of making societal change, and too often it seems like there is only one way to make a difference. In the Creative Arts as Resistance program series, created by OJMCHE’s Student Advisory Board, youth in grades 6 – 12 will explore how creative arts can be used as a means of resistance while hearing from artists who are a part of increasing representation, telling often unheard or suppressed stories, and challenging societal norms and taboos. The series consists of three different webinars, highlighting music, visual arts, and writing and is open to middle and high school students across Oregon.
After each program, participants have the option of responding to the prompt below and having their work displayed as part of a virtual exhibition.
Prompt: While we are currently in a time of telling stories often left out of mainstream media, increasing representation is an ongoing process. Think about what stories you would like to see more of, and what parts of yourself you would like represented. Use any style of writing/art/music to express your story, identity, or thoughts about representation.
Creative Writing as Resistance with Michelle Peñaloza
In this session, join poet Michelle Peñaloza for a reading, discussion, and writing exercise that will be sure to stimulate, inspire, and empower you.
Michelle Peñaloza is the author of Former Possessions of the Spanish Empire, winner of the 2018 Hillary Gravendyk National Poetry Prize (Inlandia Books, 2019). She is also the author of two chapbooks, landscape/heartbreak (Two Sylvias, 2015), and Last Night I Dreamt of Volcanoes (Organic Weapon Arts, 2015). The recipient of fellowships and awards from the University of Oregon and Kundiman, Michelle has also received support from Lemon Tree House, Caldera, 4Culture, Literary Arts, VONA/Voices, and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, among many others. The proud daughter of Filipino immigrants, Michelle was born in the suburbs of Detroit, MI and raised in Nashville, TN. She now lives in rural Northern California. Learn more about Michelle Peñaloza here.
After RSVPing, you will receive an email 24 hours prior to the event with a zoom link. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this event, please contact education@ojmche.org.