Urban Media Arts, in collaboration with Malden Reads, will offer a poetry-writing workshop, open to all members of the Malden community. Space is limited. The instructor and guide for the workshop is CD Collins, an award-winning author, poet, and spoken-word artist. No former poetry-writing experience is necessary to participate in this workshop, just an openness to experimenting with the art form. 

Poetry is a natural place to turn during times of disruption and change, a bridge to the inexpressible. This historical moment calls for such a bridge. What are you struggling with right now? What is a portal to joy for you? What is a source of strength? We each have our own form of courage and ways to navigate through our fears and goals. 

Using Joy Harjo’s poetry as inspiration (her book “An American Sunrise” is the Malden Reads 2022 selection), this workshop will explore themes of identity, family history, personal challenges, and hope.

Workshop Dates: Tuesdays, March 22, 29, April 5, 12
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Location: Zoom

Limited to 10 participants. Must be a Malden resident or have a direct connection to the Malden community.

Cost: Free *

*A donation to UMA is encouraged to help UMA cover administrative and marketing costs. (Grant funds cover instructor fee.)  Registrants must commit to attendance and full participation in this workshop. 

After the completion of the workshop we will offer opportunities for the participants to share their poetry at one or more in-person events. The date, time and nature of these events are still being determined.

This workshop is partially funded through a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency, provided through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

About the Instructor:

Kentucky native CD Collins is the author of three books, a collection of short stories, a poetry collection, and a novel. Her work is represented in five compact discs, one of which won Best Spoken-Word album at the Boston Poetry Awards. Ms. Collins has performed in a variety of venues including Berklee College of Music, Club Passim, Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, and the New York Public Library.

“CD Collins has the voice of a natural-born storyteller.  Original and unforgettable.” Stephen McCauley author, The Object of My Affection.