Writing Daring, Delicious, Defiant Poetry

Poetry can do fascinating things. It can transform words into pigments that paint watercolors before our very eyes. It can burrow under our skin like a ferret and tickle us from the inside; it can melt into glue and stick with us for a lifetime. 

In this workshop, you’ll enter as a beginner, and you’ll leave calling yourself a ‘poet’! Join us and: 

+ Venture through different forms of poetry, from sharp and spare to lush and lyrical.

+ Build grand orchestral crescendos or sultry rhythms: We’ll play with cadence, sound, and flow to match the mood of your unique poetry style. 

+ From abstractions to metaphors and melodies, explore the techniques that make a poem linger in the minds of readers.

+ Tap into the senses and transform ordinary moments into unforgettable imagery.

+ Learn how to take a second look, and sharpen a rough draft into a masterpiece. 

You’ll leave this workshop with at least one completed poem and a deeper trust in your creative instincts. 

This is a 3-Part Workshop. Join us Mondays July 13, July 20 and July 27 @6:00–7:30PM. Let’s have fun!

Karineh Mahdessian obtained her MSW from USC and one day dreams of having her MFA in Poetry. She loves to write, read and eat. She has published in several journals and anthologies, and has been a Pushcart nominee. She loves to facilitate writing workshops and can’t wait to share the joys of poetry with the greater community!

The Summer Storytelling Studio presented by Octavia’s Bookshelf is designed for curious minds to play with a mashup of creative mediums. Get ready to tell your story your way, through cozy, three-part workshops led by local experts.

📝 Write it.

🧵 Quilt it.

💬 Trace its roots.

📸 Capture it.

🎨 Paint it.

📖 Remix it as a zine.

Thanks to the Mellon Foundation, Humanities in Place grant, this is the space for you to tap into creative, therapeutic avenues and document life before the Eaton Fire, reflect on its aftermath, and uplift your vision for the future.

No experience necessary. Just a space to try things, meet new people, follow your curiosity. Then leave with something special only you can create! Stay tuned throughout the summer for program dates.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Octavia's Bookshelf