What is the Covid Writing Recovery Project?

The Covid Writing Recovery Project is a community-wide arts initiative co-presented by The ArtsCenter and Till the Ground which will explore themes of resiliency and reimagining, encouraging individuals and our community to discover meaningful responses to the challenges of our time. It is designed to play out in 4 parts.

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Part 1: Toast to Health Writers’ Gathering (Friday, October 21, 6:30 – 8:00pm)

Toast to Health is a free, in-person writers’ gathering at The ArtsCenter that is open to all. Anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively through writing is welcome! We will gather in the West End to enjoy an evening of playful word games and quick prompts meant to spark our creativity and sow the seeds for what comes next. 

We encourage you to enroll online or at the Box Office ahead of time – there is no cost to attend, but it helps us to know in advance how many are coming!

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Part 2: Bi-Weekly online writing prompts (November 2022 – February 2023)

Beginning the first week of November through early February, bi-weekly writing prompts will be posted online at tilltheground.net, where those who joined us in Part 1 can stay connected, explore their writing further, and welcome others into the community to write with them.  These writing prompts will provide those who respond with an opportunity to rediscover the light in living, cultivate resilience, and laugh together! All of this will build towards a public reading in February where our writers can share their discoveries and inspire others in the community. 

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Part 3: Public Reading at the ArtsCenter (February 2023)

In February, a final and more elaborate prompt will be posted online two weeks prior to a public reading at the ArtCenter. Students will be invited to prepare pieces lasting no more than three minutes when read aloud. At the reading, names of those who want to share their writing from the microphone will be chosen at random – up to twenty readers. After 1 1/2 hours of reading, Karen Jessee will lead a guided discussion with the audience to highlight what we have heard together, drawing out themes of resilience which are key to recovery.

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Part 4: Community fed Online Zine

After the reading, the ArtsCenter will publish an online “zine” incorporating writings from the public reading as well as from anyone who didn’t have the chance to read in the public event. Artwork by ArtsCenter students, responding to the same final prompt as writers, curated by Karen along with ArtCenter staff, will illustrate the zine. 

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Led by Karen Jessee

Over the past ten years, Karen Jessee has regularly taught short courses and retreats, both for local religious congregations and independently. During the pandemic, she hosted two weekly groups via Zoom–one a contemplative study group, the other a prompt writing group which is ongoing. Currently, she is hosting a class which incorporates prompt writing, engagement with challenging texts, and group discussion.

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Imagine tilling spent pandemic soil  

until brittle years of Covid become fresh earth. 

The Covid Writing Recovery Project gives our community the plow. 

 

With ideas to prompt imagination that leads to writing 

and the opportunity to share at a public reading if desired, 

the Covid Writing Recovery Project hopes seeds of resilience 

will be planted in our community as we share a common creative adventure. 

 

Regardless of how different our usual life experiences may be, 

every single one of us has been living in Covid’s shadow. 

Together we will rediscover the light in living, 

cultivate resilience, and laugh together! 

 

Absolutely EVERYONE is invited. 

Experience with writing is not required to participate in the Project 

or enjoy what we do and discover together. 

 

The Covid Writing Recovery Project is a community-wide arts initiative which can build resiliency in individuals and communities, encouraging meaningful responses to the challenges of our time. The Covid Writing Recovery Project is not a forum for arguments, grievances, or criticism of others. By writing our own lives into being as individuals, we contribute to a rich harvest of health for the entire world. 

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ArtsCenter COVID Safety Policy

Our community’s health and safety is important. At this time, masks and proof of vaccination are required for all ArtSchool teachers and students.

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Questions?

For more information, please contact:
Anna Hewett, for the ArtCenter, ahewett@artscenterlive.org
Karen Jessee, tilltheground@earthlink.net