This is Who I Am: Exploring Personal Identity through Poetry and Art // with Angie Ebba

How do we show the world who we are? How can we use our creativity to explore our identities and what is important to us? In this workshop, use a combination of journaling, poetry, and art to create a narrative about yourself and your life. We will read and write, learn new poetry forms and writing techniques, and complete a variety of mixed media art projects to help us reflect on our identity. This class is good for beginners, as well as more advanced writers who want to add an extra element to their practice.

Poetry can be a great tool for exploring and expressing our identity. We will read and discuss poetry, and engage in individual and collaborative writing prompts meant to further engage us in examining our identity. All levels welcome.

Week by Week

Week One  - The Importance of Creativity

*discussion of importance of creativity in our lives and our identity
*discussion of why we create

Week Two  - Place and Self

*discussion of the role of place in our lives, and looking at place-based poetry and visual art

Week Three  - Celebrating Identity Through Items

*discussion of the role items play in our lives
*review of item-based poetry and visual art
*creation of item-based poetry and art

Week Four  - Self-Portraiture and the Invisible Self

*review of self-portrait poems and visual art self-portraits
*discussion of the parts of our selves we keep invisible and how creativity can help us to expose those pieces
*creation of self-portrait poems and art

Week Five - The Body and Identity

*discussion on the intersection of the corporeal body and our identities
*review of poetry and visual art based on the body
*creation of body-based poems and art

Week Six - Dreaming Our Futures

*discussion of ways we can use creative practices to envision our futures
*review of works that do such
*creation of poetry and art that focus on dreams and wishes for our futures

Who Should Take This Class

This class is ideal for anyone wanting to deep-dive into a creative exploration of identity, anyone who would like to get more in touch with themselves or the world around them, and those wishing to expand their creative practices or learn/practice various types of poetry and visual art. Additionally, learners wanting to play and experiment with their creative work would thrive in this class. All levels of writers and artists are encouraged.

Format

This is an online class, hosted on the online teaching platform, Wet Ink. The Wet Ink platform allows writers to log in on their own time to post comments and critiques directly to authors’ works. You can also view deadlines, track revisions, and watch video or listen to audio. At the end of the class, each student will receive an email that contains an archive of all their content and interactions. 

The day before class begins, you’ll receive an invitation to join Wet Ink. There are no browser requirements, and Wet Ink is mobile-friendly. If you have any questions about the technical requirements, please email tlan.coordinator@gmail.com.

Each week will consist of engaging content designed to spark personal reflection, discussion and dynamic writing to be shared in the Wet Ink group forum. 

Each week will include various texts to help us explore disability and creative modalities that can help us deal with and manage chronic illness and disability, and will include discussions of the readings and our personal experiences, as well as creative writing prompts. Students should plan to spend 3-4 hours per week on the class. However, because our spoons vary day to day, the class will be formatted in a way that is flexible for working when you can and resting when you need.

About the Teacher

Angie Ebba is a queer disabled writer, educator, and performer who has taught writing workshops and performed across the United States. She has poetry published in Closet Cases, Queering Sexual Violence, and several literary magazines. She's also a published essayist with a focus on writing about health and disability, body positivity, and relationships. Angie teaches poetry and writing online and in person. Angie believes strongly in the power of words to help us gain a better understanding of ourselves, to build connections and community, and to make personal and social change. Angie can be found online at rebelonpage.com.