Gilbert's Art Intersection to Host Workshops, Roundtables, and Receptions for Local Writers

This January, local community art space Art Intersection will expand into the written world with a series of workshops and discussions. "We've had a vision from the very beginning to have a writing program," says Carol Panaro-Smith, a local photographer who helped bring the space to life last year. "We're starting...

By Claire Lawton

November 30, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

This January, local community art space Art Intersection will expand into the written world with a series of workshops and discussions.

"We've had a vision from the very beginning to have a writing program," says Carol Panaro-Smith, a local photographer who helped bring the space to life last year. "We're starting small, with a great faculty and lots of ideas."

The program will be lead by local writers including Allyson Boggess, Laura Cruser, Rosemarie Dombrowski, Mark Haunschild, Fernando Perez, and Beth Staples, who will talk and workshop poetry, memoir writing, character development, perspective, and getting it down on paper.

The space, known for its photography exhibitions, creative resources, and annual workshop-based trips abroad, has expanded in the last few months to include workshops on book- and card-making and trips to local neighborhoods for artistic inspiration.

Panaro-Smith says the writing faculty group hopes to reach a new community of writers who'd like space to work -- and company to brainstorm.

"We hope that we'll have open places for people to come and write, and space for serious writers to workshop materials," she says. "The idea was to do some classes and get a feel for what the community wants ... In photography we'd call it a test strip -- we're just excited to give the community a little taste."

Classes are two Saturday sessions at Art Intersection (207 N. Gilbert Road) and are $40. The schedule includes:

How to Give Your Story Liftoff: Keep Your Feet on the Ground by Laura Cruser
Saturday, January 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, February 4 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

Bringing Characters to Life by Beth Staples
Saturday, February 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, February 11 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

Gleaning Poetry from Art: Wriging Poetry Inspired by Visual Works of Art by Allyson Boggess
Saturday, February 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, February 18 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

Looking Glass: Where You Stand Makes a Difference by Fernando Perez
Saturday, March 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, April 7 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

Haibun: The Poetry of Walking by Mark Haunschild
Saturday, April 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, April 14 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

Personal Fragments: Using Collage to Create Memoir
Saturday, April 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Saturday, April 21 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m..

For more information, check out the Art Intersection website, and to reserve a space in the workshops above, call (480) 361-1118.

Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook and Twitter.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.