These are the only forms on my mind, on my heart.

Creative Colloquy presents The Writer's Workshop Series: Poetry as Protest, as Proclamation, as Prayer with Lydia Valentine, Friday April 16 at 7pm. Due to recent events, our host has shifted the theme of Friday’s workshop. We hope you will join us. A message from Lydia: Daunte Wright’s mother weeping, huddled in her blanket, being prevented from going to her baby as he lay in the street for hours… Daunte Wright’s beautiful son no longer having his father to hold him close, to watch him grow, to give HIM the talk… Daunte Wright’s arms raised, hands up, complying… These are the only forms on my mind, on my heart. Join me in a generative workshop exploring the function of poetry as protest, as proclamation, as prayer. No prior writing experience is necessary for this workshop. Tickets are $5 & registration is required. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-form-influences-function-tickets-146023274545. Zoom Information will be sent just prior to workshop festivities. Festivities will also be live streamed on our Facebook page. If you are unable to spare $5 at this time we have several free tickets available. Please email Jackie.d.fender@gmail.com. No reason needed, no questions asked. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Lydia K. Valentine is unapologetically Black. She is a passionate activist for equity and social justice, a proud mom of two amazing people, and an autistic, queer, card-carrying Blerd. She grew up in Aliquippa, Pa, a small, steel mill town north of Pittsburgh, and though she now calls the Pacific Northwest her home, she is a Quip for life. Through her own writing and the projects to which she contributes as a dramaturg, director, or editor under Lyderary Ink, Lydia always seeks to amplify the voices of those who are often stifled, ignored, and marginalized in what has been the accepted narrative of the United States. Lyderary Ink maintains ongoing partnerships with empathos company, The Mahogany Project, Pork Filled Productions, Speak the Magazine, Toy Boat Theatre, and the We Out Here Festival. At the end of the 2020 school year, Lydia shifted from teaching full time at the Seattle Girls' School to focusing on creative pursuits and consulting. She is working on putting together a virtual reading of her play, Aliquippa, and developing playwrighting and poetry workshops. Creative Colloquy is a volunteer run organization, fiscally sponsored by Shunpike. All ticket prices help CC to remain sustainable and compensates our fabulous instructors for sharing their time and expertise. Financial Assistance Scholarships are available to all those who wish to participate in The Writer's Workshop Series. We aim to support our local literary community and foster relationships built upon the mutual admiration of the written word and provide opportunities for those who may not otherwise be able to attend. If interested please email jackie.d.fender@gmail.com to apply in