As part of the exhibition El Dorado (The Golden), writer Sherese Francis will lead a free poetry workshop inspired by the art installation. All ages are welcome to join.
Language is fluid and moldable. We are constantly shaping it into new forms and meanings. This workshop will use language and sound concepts like etymology, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, homonyms, homographs, onomatopoeia and similar sounding words within and between languages to play with meaning and definition. Through this word-play, we will knead together new poetic creations, using language in unexpected ways and even creating new words. Participants are welcome to bring their favorite words from their own languages, both standard and informal, to experiment. Poem examples will include ones from Harryette Mullen, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, David McCord, E.E. Cummings, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and forms like Macaronic verse and Dictionary/Thesaurus Entry poetry.