Poetry Workshops with Ruelaine Stokes

Spend an exciting day with Ruelaine Stokes! For many years Ruelaine has been a major force on the Lansing arts scene as a poet, spoken word artist, educator, and arts organizer. Her poetry is available in her most recent collection, Jar of Plenty (2021), and in Four Against the Wall (2005).

Ruelaine will facilitate two workshops on one creatively jam-packed Saturday. Choose to attend one or both workshops.

How to Jump Start Your Creativity

Escape your inner censor through the use of writing games that invite you to play with words, images, and metaphors. You will draw upon your imagination, memories, and intuitive “tone sense” to strengthen and extend your creative writing “muscles” and develop greater confidence, skill, and fluency as a writer.

Poetry as a Healing Art

Drawing upon the work of mystical poets such as Rumi, Thomas Merton, Mary Oliver, and a variety of voices throughout the ages, this workshop explores the ways in which poetry opens the heart and leads to healing and personal growth. Participants engage in writing activities while also learning and practicing the art of reading poetry aloud.