Monson Arts announces new writing program

MONSON — Monson Arts will be launching the Conference on Poetry and Learning this summer from July 5-11. The conference is intended for educators, teaching artists, and other poetry advocates and will provide the opportunity for faculty and participants to share inspiring, effective techniques and strategies for teaching poetry in schools and a range of educational settings. Following the conference, participants can also attend a one and a half-day writing workshop.

The conference is directed by poet, essayist and educator Dawn Potter. She is the author or editor of nine books of prose and poetry, most recently the poetry collection “Accidental Hymn”. For more than a decade she directed poetry and teaching programs at the Frost Place in Franconia, New Hampshire and since 2019 she has led the high school studio writing program at Monson Arts. In addition to Potter, the faculty for 2024 will include Teresa Carson and Maudelle Driskell. 

“We’re excited to broaden our workshop offerings,” says Chantal Harris, Monson Arts’ director. “This summer session will provide a great opportunity for educators and writers from Maine and across the country. In addition to K-12 and university educators, we’re encouraging people who work in community-based settings, social services, and life-long learning programs to attend.”

Potter is enthusiastic about launching a new program. “Monson Arts has long demonstrated its passion for arts education,” she says. “Poetry has such power for good. Writing, talking about, and sharing poems in community allows us to build trust and empathy, to tackle hard questions, to increase our engagement with others.”

Monson Arts was founded in 2018. Its mission is to provide time and space for creative work through residencies, workshops, and educational partnerships. For more information visit monsonarts.org.