One of the goals at AEF over the past year has been to think creatively about ways to take advantage of the world class institutions that are located right here in our backyard. How AEF might partner with these organizations to bring something special and unique to our students has been a priority. That is why this summer, we were thrilled to partner with Aspen Words, the literary organization that is part of the Aspen Institute, to design a program that would bring poetry through Aspen Words to Aspen Middle School.
The unfolding of what we planned with Aspen Words is happening right now in AMS and we could not be more excited about it and to share it with the community! This week, three visiting poets from Aspen Words — Natasha Carrizosa, Joaquín Zihuatanejo and Logan Phillips — are leading in-class poetry workshops with students at the middle school. Each classroom is working with the same poet for two in-class sessions, with the option of several additional extracurricular workshops throughout the week. This is a great opportunity for any student who wishes to work even more closely with their poetry instructor.
The culmination of their weeklong workshop will be a poetry slam at the Black Box Theatre next Thursday, October 13. Natasha Carrizosa will be the emcee.
As well, the three teaching poets — Natasha, Joaquín and Logan — will do a poetry reading on October 6 in town at the Marble Bar. This is a community-wide event, and families are welcome.
We are thrilled about the Aspen Words partnership and can’t wait for more collaboration in the future. We will see you at the slam next week!
