OCLC Creative Writing Workshops – Visiting Artists Series

The Orange County Literacy Council (OCLC) announces the Visiting Artists Series, a part of the ongoing Creative Writing Program at IFC’s Community House. Funded by a donation from the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Visiting Artist Series at the IFC is designed to reach into the community and involve residents of the IFC Shelter with the local literary community and the invited public. At each of the monthly Tuesday evening events the visiting artist will discuss his/her life and work and lead the audience in an expressive Creative Writing exercise. The Visiting Artists Series was developed and the line-up of artists coordinated by Deb Baldwin, a longtime volunteer with the OCLC's Creative Writing Program.

“The Visiting Artists Series is an outgrowth of our work to improve adult literacy in Orange County,” said Alice Denson, executive director of the OCLC. “We have been organizing writing workshops at the Men’s Shelter and the Women’s Shelter and this is an extension of that outreach. Volunteer and board member Willis Brooks has been running the workshops in recent years. This is the first series that has extended an invitation to the public.”

Schedule of Upcoming Programs

January 9 — Tim Tyson, author.

January 23—Kim Arrington, a lifelong resident of Durham, NC, founded a publishing house, greased scalp press, to help first-time and underrepresented authors with the production of their books. The press released her own first volume of poetry, the lapis dwellers, in 2005. Arrington has performed at many events and shared the stage with the legendary Last Poets, the POEM-CEES, Julie Patton, and the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble. She will help us honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

February 20—Jaki Shelton Green started writing at age 12 and has never stopped. Winner of the 2003 North Carolina Award for Literature, her books include Dead on Arrival, Masks, Swiss Times, and Conjure Blues. Her works have been choreographed by the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble, Miami City Ballet, and the Naropa Dance Institute of Colorado, among others. Her creative writing workshops and readings have been held across the U.S. and abroad. It is our privilege to have Ms. Green visit and help us celebrate Black History Month.

March 20—Nancy Peacock took the literary world by storm when her first novel, Life Without Water,” was cited as a NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 1996 Notable Book. Peacock's short stories have appeared in St. Andrews Review, Sojourner, and the O. Henry Festival Stories. Currently at work on her book of memoirs, Peacock has taught creative writing and prompt writing in a wide variety of settings.

April 17—Michael Chitwood, a member of the UNC English department’s creative writing faculty, recently published a new book of essays and fiction, Finishing Touches (Tryon Publishing Company, Chapel Hill.), which is described as “a collection of essays that range in topic from Chitwood’s brother-in-law’s pumpkin business to the death of bluegrass legend Bill Monroe.” Chitwood is the award-winning author of four volumes of poetry—The Weave Room, Whet, Salt Works, and Gospel Road Going—three chapbooks and a collection of essays, Hitting Below the Bible Belt.

Previous Programs

October 10—Mervin A. Jenkins, aka SPECTAC, is by day the school principal of Horton Middle School, and by night and weekends the rap artist Spectac. Mr. Jenkins recent studio recordings with 9th Wonder―the high-profile producer from North Carolina who has worked with some of the industry's leading entertainers, Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, Pete Rock, etc.―have led to his current work-in-progress Spectac, Starring in Superman for Life. Mr. Jenkins was recently offered “roses” from the CHAPEL HILL NEWS for his hard work and innovative approach.

November 7—Slam poets from Winston-Salem, with Nell Britton. This is how it all got started ― the slam poets were the first artists to visit the IFC Community House through the Orange County Literacy Council's Creative Writing Workshops. These high-powered performance poets have traveled the country with their poetry. Not to be missed.

December 19—Barry Saunders, whose columns appear in the NEWS & OBSERVER three times each week, has been honored as “Columnist of the Year” by the N.C. Press Association. One of the most controversial writers on the NEWS & OBSERVER staff, Saunders has been called “provocative and irreverent,” and is sure to have something surprising to say.

The Visiting Artists Series is made possible through funding by the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.