Young local writers who want to attend this summer’s free Nacogdoches/Stephen F. Austin State University Barrio Writers workshop need to complete the application at https://forms.gle/kWU8w1n3C9qaWJjRA by Memorial Day.
Because of COVID-19, this summer’s workshop will be held via Zoom and limited to 20 participants who meet the following requirements:
want to publish their own writings
want to attend college
are between the ages of 13 and 21
can access Zoom and Google Classroom via the internet
can attend virtual workshops from noon to 1 p.m. on June 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12
and want to write two pieces in any style (poetry, short story, essay, hip-hop, spoken word).
The workshop will culminate in a live reading at 6:30 p.m. June 12 on Zoom.
“We continue to be amazed by the work our local youth produce during the weeklong workshop,” said Dr. Lauren Burrow, associate professor of secondary education. “We hold these workshops because we believe in our local youth and want to support them as they develop their voices and grow into adulthood.”
As a chapter of the national Barrio Writers organization, the Nacogdoches/SFA program has hosted 30 East Texas students for this free workshop every summer since 2015 to help build their skills in reading, grammar, creative writing, critical thinking and freedom of expression through cultural arts.
Four writing advisors from SFA’s James I. Perkins College of Education will lead the students through the workshop: Burrow; Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor of secondary education; Dr. Chrissy Cross, associate professor of secondary education; and Dr. Amber Wagnon, assistant professor of secondary education.
Founded by author Sarah Rafael Garcia in 2009, Barrio Writers is designed to empower the teenage community while establishing a self-sufficient educational program that represents community pride, perseverance and endless possibilities for following generations.
For more information, email sfabarriowriters@gmail.com or follow the Barrio Writers Facebook page for updates.
By Jo Gilmore, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
