The Power of Questions, Imagination and Storytelling in Poetry

Lucille Clifton says “We can create what we cannot imagine.” In this workshop, for kids, teens and adults, we will use poetry by Ross Gay, Lucille Clifton, Mari Evans and more, prompts, and engaging activities to explore what they would like to see for their future, ask them what kind of people they hope to be, and learn about how to build a better community themselves and the ones they love.

This workshop is most appropriate for participants ages 10+.

Thank you to Indiana Humanities and Indiana Authors Awards for their partnership with this workshop! We will see you at Indy Reads on April 13th at 2pm.

CHANTEL MASSEY is a storyteller, poet, author, teaching artist, editor, organizer, educator, practicing Afrofuturist, and avid anime lover from Indiana. Massey is a fellow of The Watering Hole and received support from VONA poetry, Brooklyn Poets, Hurston/Wright Foundation, and Tin House. She is a 2023 Best of Net Award winner and 2020 Indiana Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards Emerging Author finalist for her first collection of poetry, Bursting At The Seams (VK Press, 2018), a MidwestBlack girl coming of age story. Massey founded the literary arts organization, UnLearn Arts, radically dedicated to amplifying and cultivating the craft and wellness of BIPOC writers in the Midwest and elsewhere. Alongside performing poetry, Massey serves as board member and Community Outreach Committee member for youth poetry organization, Word As Bond and reader at Revolute Magazine. Massey is also a teaching artist for the Asante Art Institute Zora’s Daughters writing program, and a Caliban Art Board Member.

Indiana Authors Awards is powered by Indiana Humanities.

Learn more about the Indiana Authors Awards Writing Workshop series here.

Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that infuses the humanities into our daily lives. We do this by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating our own programs that help Hoosiers think, read and talk.

Learn more about Indiana Humanities here.

This event is Pay-What-You-Can! Here’s what your suggested donation can do for the Indy Reads community:

FREE – This ticket is for attendees that would like to attend this event and are unable to purchase a ticket. Indy Reads values our community and facilitators. We are proud to provide programming to all. Thank you for being a part of our community!

$10 – This donation covers the cost of one attendee to this event. Indy Reads strives to bring the very best programming to Fountain Square and all Hoosiers. Thank you for helping us to keep our quality programs accessible for all!

$20 – This donation covers the cost of two attendees to this event. If you are attending as an individual, your ticket at this level makes it possible for another who cannot afford a ticket to attend. It is only through the generosity of our community that we are able to support programs that enrich the lives of all Hoosiers. Thank you for your support!

Other – “Pay-What-You-Can” really does mean pay what you can. Indy Reads appreciates that every one of our community members is able to support our vision of 100% literacy for all in different ways. Whether you can pay $5 or $50, we are so excited to see you – and thank you for your support!