Category: Literary Arts

REVIEW: The Prison Creative Arts Project

nina.j

The Prison Creative Arts Project

You may have friends around campus who are involved in “PCAP.” And seems that people who are rave about it. My sophomore year roommate took the course and now subsequently works for the on-campus organization. The experience nearly changed her entire course of study from medicine to social work. Last spring,  I attended her final project exhibition. It took place at a prison in Jackson, Michigan where she and a partner had been working for the entire semester to create  a play.. I will never forget walking in the courtyard of the jail to a small class room near the cafeteria where a group of incarcerated, middle aged men perform a play they had spent four months writing. These men had very clearly grown to admire and value my 5’2” roommate as a mentor and guide. The experience was, needless to say, incredibly formative and powerful.

PCAP is offered at UofM as both a course through the Department of English Language and Literature and by the School of Art and Design.  The course, led by professor and curator Buzz Alexander, trains students to facilitate workshops in the arts in state prisons, juvenile facilities, or Detroit high schools. Mediums include creative writing, theater,  dance, mural, music, photography, quilt making, and video. His wife, Janie Paul, teaches a corollary course through the Art school which is geared specifically toward instructing in the visual arts. Since is genesis in 1990, PCAP has facilitated hundreds of workshops and has garnered huge success in its mission.

“Our process is respect and a spirit of collaboration in which vulnerability, risk, and improvisation lead to discovery.”

“We make possible spaces in which the voices and visions of the incarcerated can be expressed.”

“We believe that everyone has the capacity to create art”

“Art is necessary for individual and societal growth, connection, and survival”

“Art should be accessible to all”

Most of the incarcerated participants in the workshops have never explored the arts provided. This, to me, is unbelievable, because hen you see the work it appears to be profoundly professional. There is a quality of depth and emotion in these pieces that communicates a potent sense of experience. Two years in a row, this exhibit has been one in which I truly lose myself in the gallery, absolutely entangled in the grit of the celebrated creations. To read bios of some of these artists, or artists from previous years, as well as see and read samples of their work, check out the PCAP website and click on “Gallery.” There, you will also find more information the current exhibit as well as related programs that you can be involved in.

There are several important events happening on campus this week as a part of the culmination of another year of the organization’s hard work. These presentations are incredibly powerful, so don’t miss them! And if you don’t make it in time, at least take a stroll through the gallery in the Dude. The artwork is truly impressive (it is also for sale!) and will surely move you deeply as a witness.

The 17th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners

March 20-April 4, 2012
U-M Duderstadt Center Gallery
Gallery Hours: Sunday-Monday 12pm-6p, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-7pm

Closing Reception to be held at 5:30 pm on April 4th, 2012

The Michigan Review of Prison Creative Writing: Book Reading and Release Celebration

Friday, March 23rd 2012

7-9 pm

Pendleton Room of The Michigan League

The Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing, Vol. 4: On the Corner of Nihilism and Hope

“Join us as we enjoy selections of the beautiful and unabashed poetry, prose, and fiction of Michigan’s best incarcerated writers. We come together to celebrate and honor the talent and vision of these hidden voices. Friends, family members, and advocates will be reading on behalf of their incarcerated loved ones.”

Youth Speak

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

1-3 pm

Wolverine Room in The Michigan Union

“Please join us as a group of Detroit youth come together to discuss serious issues of urban living. It will be a facilitated dialogue with these bright young leaders about the challenges they face, and then an open discussion with all in attendance about these same challenges.”

Artists Panel

Sunday, march 25th, 2012

3-5 pm

Duderstadt Center Gallery

“Join us as a panel of formerly incarcerated artists discuss the works in this year’s show and the process of creating art behind bars. The event is moderated by U-M School of Art and Design Professor Janie Paul.”

Below are some snapshots from this year’s exhibit

REVIEW: Calvin Forbes

Kayla Silverstein

Last night, I walked into the beautiful Museum of Art here, or as I like to call it the UMMA (pronounced OOO-MAHH). I didn’t know much about Mr. Forbes, other than that he was a poet, a good one at that, and a professor. I also knew he liked jazz because I had to look that up for my preview, but that was about it.

Calvin Forbes was probably the funniest and most chill poet I’ve ever met. He oozed jazz – not like the music, but the rhythm of jazz. Even when he wasn’t reading one of his poems and just telling us about his life, he spoke with a lyrical style that came so naturally to him, it was really fantastic to listen to.

His poem topics range mostly from his experiences through childhood, the love he felt for his mother, and the nostalgia he expresses on how times have changed. Growing up in New York, for example, he remembers using the Twin Towers as a landmark that could always help him find his way back to his neighborhood. He walks the streets of NYC with his head down now because the absence of those buildings is too emotional for him. The death of his parents was a similar experience he writes about it, and the love he felt for them is expressed in all of his poems.

It’s funny because when Mr. Forbes first got going, I thought he was a really peaceful kind of man. He seemed to really be at one with himself, know where he’s going, and where he’s been. I do believe that remains true; however, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a deep sadness in Mr. Forbes. He recalls the past with great longing and beautiful memories, and I think he sincerely misses his childhood. His sadness is nothing but expected, as I’m sure he’s been through far more than I have in my 19 years.

All and all, a great poetry reading. The room we were in was the auditorium in the museum, and the sound was so good and the lighting was extremely relaxing. It was a really inspiring night for me, as a writer and a poetry enthusiast. It was my pleasure to hear Calvin Forbes read, and I’d be sure to go to one of his readings again if I had the chance.

PREVIEW: Calvin Forbes reading

Kayla Silverstein

Thursday, February 9th at 5:10pm at the UMMA Helmut Stern Auditorium, Calvin Forbes will be reading at an evening of poetry. Forbes lives in Chicago, teaching at the School of Art Institute. He’s written two books, Blue Monday and The Shine Poems (MFA Events Calendar). He also studies jazz history, and his love of jazz has greatly influenced his poetry. On the Poetry Foundation’s website, he describes his work as “simplicity shacked up with complexity.” I’m super excited to hear Forbes read – anyone with that quote about their writing is already awesome in my book 🙂

For more information, hit up the MFA Events Calendar at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/english/grad/mfa/eventsCalendar.asp

PREVIEW: Word of Mouth StorySLAM: Something From Nothing

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Ever gotten something from nothing? Come tell us about it! Join Word of Mouth Stories for its next slam!

Thursday, January 19 – Helmut F. Stern Auditorium in The UMMA- 7 PM

This month’s theme event is held in collaboration with The UMMA and WCBN radio. The theme is “Something from Nothing,” inspired by the Mark di Suvero exhibition “Tabletops.” Currently on display at the UMMA, the exhibit is composed of “dynamic and monumental works made of industrial steel and salvaged materials that populate museum grounds, landscapes, and urban environments around the world.” Check it out!


Never been to our slams before? Audience members tell five-minute stories from their lives relative to a theme. Events are always free, no experience necessary. In the mean time, check out our Facebook event and our very own blog.
Whether you come with stories or just to listen in, we hope to see you there! As they say on NPR, have a story worthy week.

REVIEW: Word of Mouth StorySLAM

nina.j

The Word of Mouth StorySLAM took place on Friday December 9th at Work Gallery on State St. The theme of the night was “Stuffed,” and while hors d’oeuvres included double stuffed Oreos and peanut butter filled pretzels, the theme garnered stories beyond the topic of food.

The first story of the night, told by senior Art and Design student Laura Gilmore, told of a performance art piece she created in which she stuffed a box full of her ex-boyfriends belongings and presented them to him in a dramatic- yet unsuccessful- fashion. Another, told by LSA sophomore Sylvia Gindick, was about the time she was quarantined in France because a member of her American travel group spread Swine flu to the country. Her companions were advertised in the French news as American bearers of infectious contagions. She stuffed into a clinic and detained as a result. Embarrassing.

Food related stories included one by Word of Mouth regular Garnett Bruell: the magic of his grandmother’s cranberry sauce had the power to nearly mend his dysfunctional family at a holiday meal. In one less sentimental by sophomore Hania Bigoszewska, her dog scarfed a wedding cake master piece that her mother labored over for hours. The dog was banished to the yard for days. For shame.

It was not only students who participated but townies as well. Austin Murphy, avid member of the Ann Arbor Atheists, made a brief guest appearance, delivering a story that hardly referenced the theme but did include talk of the origin of the universe, a tale about mama cave bears, and a shameless plug for his new book…? Oh Ann Arbor locals…

RC sophomore John Coats delivered the winning story of the night. In a series of chaotic events in an unexpected hospital visit, he unconsciously mooned an attractive nurse through the revealing flaps of his hospital gown. Oops! Guess it happens to the best of us. As a prize, John is invited back as a story teller in the final Grand Slam event of the year in April.

In between stories, the MC reads anonymous mini-slips submitted by audience members. Last night included short tales of being stuffed to the brim in competitive eating contests as well as a few suggestive ones about what “Stuffed” might denote, but those are too lewd to be repeated here.

Overall, the night was a success. The gallery space was decked out with student art work from the A&D All Student Exhibition, giving the white walls a flare that enhanced the creativity of the gathering. While Word of Mouth usually packs the room, however, attendance last night was lower than usual. Could have been because of finals or the plethora of other end-of-semester events taking place simultaneously, including F.O.K.U.S’s Pause, which was happening down the street at the Kelsey Museum (in fact, many attendants alternated between arts events throughout the evening). Because Word of Mouth relies on audience participation, a small or shy crowd can change the face of the event. Yet eventually, the space filled. It was stuffed with people listening to stories and laughing along with the anecdotes of the raconteurs.

To stay posted on future Word of Mouth events, check out the blog! Pictures and sound bites from “Stuffed” to come!

To get involved with planning the events, email wordofmouthstories@umich.edu

As they say on NPR, thanks for listening and have a story worthy week!

PREVIEW: Word of Mouth StorySLAM

nina.j 1 Comment

Hey all! Nina here, a lucky new writer for [art]seen. Taking the opportunity to christen my writing profile with a preview about an event that is near and dear to my heart. Shameless plug: a student organization that I help to run is holding its last event of the semester this Friday night!

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Word of Mouth StorySLAM . STUFFED. Friday December 9. Work Gallery on State St.  6pm.

Still full from Thanksgiving? Come tell us about it! Join Word of Mouth Stories for its next StorySlam at 6 PM on Friday, December 9th, at the Work Gallery on State Street. This month’s theme is “Stuffed,” and the event should be full of tasty tales. Never been to our slams before? Audience members tell five-minute stories from their lives relative to a theme. Whether you come with stories or just to listen in, we hope to see you there. In the meantime, check out our blog!

Word of Mouth began as a student organization in Fall of 2010, inspired by NPR’s The Moth. The Moth holds StorySLAMS in major cities throughout the country, including Detroit and, recently, Ann Arbor (third Tuesdays of every month at Circus Bar on 1st St.). Originally the student group was called The MothUP, as offspring groups of the radio program go by. After growing in publicity and popularity on the internet, however, NPR contacted our student org and us we had to change the name if we wanted to avoid a lawsuit. Oops! But at least we made a splash in the literary world. Now we go by Word of Mouth. Events are just as fun, just as moving, just as creative as ever before.

Here is a clip from our last event on October 21st. In the spirit of Halloween, the theme of the evening was “Night.” The speaker is last month’s winner Maddie Sharton, a junior in the school of Music, Theater, and Dance.

Also, check out the muse of our org, The Moth. Here is a story from 2006 told by playwright Michaela Murphy. It is about her her Irish Catholic family who “lovingly spies on the Kennedy compound from afar.”

Take a listen, tell me what you think. Hope to see you on Friday!