These free, informal class sessions, in 3 locations around the Twin Cities (Center for Hmong Arts & Talent in St. Paul, Cafe SouthSide in South Mpls., and the Minneapolis Urban League), are a preview of the free, craft-centered creative writing class David Mura will teach for writers of color and Indigenous writers at the Loft beginning February 3, 2016.
In these preview sessions, Mura will introduce basic craft elements for writing poetry and fiction, engage students in one or two writing exercises, discuss issues related to the writing process (e.g., writer's block), and touch on issues facing writers of color and Indigenous writers. There will also be a brief discussion about what participants foresee as possible barriers in attending the classes and how to effectively shape a class that would benefit community members. In order to create a safe space for people of color and Indigenous peoples to discuss and write openly about race, this class is only open to writers of color and Indigenous writers (defined as people who are of Native American, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Asian, Asian American, Arab, Middle Eastern, African, African American, Afro-Caribbean, Latino/a, Chicano/a, and mixed descent). No preregistration necessary, come as you are!
We are offering 3 preview classes:
Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 6-7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6-7:30 p.m., CHAT (Center for Hmong Arts & Talent), 995 University Ave W, Ste 220, St Paul, 55104.
Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7-8:30 p.m. Cafe SouthSide, 3405 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, 55407.
David Mura is a creative nonfiction writer, poet, fiction writer, critic, playwright. He’s written two memoirs: Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei, which won the Josephine Miles/Oakland PEN Book Award and was listed in the New York Times Notable Books of Year, and Where the Body Meets Memory: An Odyssey of Race, Sexuality and Identity. His most recent work is the novel Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire. His collection of poetry, The Last Incantations, comes out in 2014. Other poetry books are: Angels for the Burning, The Colors of Desire (Carl Sandburg Literary Award) and After We Lost Our Way (National Poetry Series Contest winner). His book of critical essays is Song for Uncle Tom, Tonto & Mr. Moto: Poetry & Identity. His essays have appeared in Mother Jones, the NY Times and numerous anthologies. He teaches in the Stonecoast MFA Program and the VONA Writers’ Conference.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Thanks to our partner The University of Minnesota Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) for making these classes possible.
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