Poetry is powerful, personal, and it can be playful, too! Drawing on the idea of fulfillment represented by the upcoming summer solstice and the historic events of Juneteenth, we’ll practice some basic poetry techniques, get outside for inspiration from the natural world, and then let our learnings and laughter fly onto our papers! This workshop is ideal for individuals seeking to develop or expand their writing style, or for families looking for a unique activity to do together. One thing is for sure – we will have fun and see writing poetry in a fresh, new way! Finally, participants will have the opportunity to type their poems using decorative papers on vintage typewriters to create keepsakes to take home. Participants should bring a notebook and pen, but leave stuffy notions of fancy literature behind.

Instructor Linda Maria Alvarado made her first publication, a family newsletter, when she was thirteen and has been writing ever since. Fast forward (a few!) years, and she completed a certificate in creative writing from UCLA Extension in 2024 and can now officially state that she can “write pretty.” As further proof of her claim, she currently has a poem included in the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Poetry Maps exhibit and is serving as a poet-in-residence there as well. She has a BA in Fine Arts, MA in Anthropology, and her business, Paperclip Poetry, provides custom poems at events throughout Northern Arizona.