University of Toronto Poet in Community & Hart House Writer-in-Residence - Ronna Bloom

Do I contradict myself?
Very well, then I contradict myself.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
–"Song of Myself," Walt Whitman

We are whole bodies walking around this complex urban environment with multiple interests and needs. How do we understand and express this? 

Ronna Bloom is Poet in Community at the University of Toronto and is charged with using poetry in the service of the community, to address the needs, passions and interests of students, staff and faculty. 

Through workshops, readings, conversations, this program offers a “third space." It isn't formal, like a classroom or committee; nor is it casual as a coffee shop. It is a learning experience that is facilitated but without grades. There is no teacher and no boss. 

The intention of Poet in Community is to use poetry as a tool for speaking and learning in new ways: to integrate disparate learning; to provide a forum for identity formation; to facilitate transitions; to further understanding within and among populations. Through writing/reading/working with poetry, people can connect different aspects of their experience: academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual.

As part of the Poet in Community project, Ronna is currently the Hart House-Writer-in-Residence. This engagement is facilitated by the Hart House Literary and Library Committee.

All events are free.

Ronna Bloom has published four books of poetry, most recently, Permiso (Pedlar Press, 2009). She has led workshops across Canada and abroad. www.ronnabloom.com

If you are curious about how to access the services of the Poet in Community contact Ronna Bloom at poetincommunity@utoronto.ca.

Upcoming Workshops

All workshops are free

Finding Your Balance
Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 2012 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm
 

Finding your balance in university is like riding a bicycle. Use writing to see where you are, where you're stuck, and what it's like while you're on the road.  What do you want to explore through writing? Writing workshops with Ronna offer a facilitated learning experience without grades or judgement. Be free to discover your unique voice and expression.

Feel free to participate in some or all three sessions.

More details here.

Past Workshops

Spontaneous Poetry Booth
Lower Gallery (in front of the Great Hall)

The Courage to Connect (or Writing Yourself into the Picture)
What is your picture of the university community? Is it diverse, responsive, friendly? Are you? Do people dare to connect?  Do you dare to be really present? What would you do if you were? What would you say? In these three sessions, using poems, images and daring actions, write yourself into the picture of the community you’d like to see.

Panic-Free Poetry
This workshop is for people who want a jolt of creative writing in an encouraging atmosphere. Using examples of poems that show how poetry comes from life, we will talk about the flexibility, accessibility and power of poetry. Through writing exercises, create poems that are reflective of your own experiences. The aim is to
write, talk about poetry and to have fun.

Writing Your Way Out of A Paper Bag
Is there a recurring frustration or a block that keeps throwing itself at you? In this workshop we'll do writing exercises designed to explore and express the frustration of that block and, perhaps, a moment of delight. This workshop includes a brief talk about blocks, frustrations and the tactics we use to avoid/deal with situations. It proposes "writing into the block" and employs three writing opportunities in the session. They are meant to open the experience slightly to let some air in and see what's there, and perhaps the possibility of new directions. This is done in a creative, non-didactic way and it doesn't promise to solve anything!

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask (about Writing...)
Have you got burning questions about the writing process? Perhaps you're dying to know what to expect if you choose life as a writer? Is getting published a mystery you want to investigate? Don't be shy! This one hour workshop is your opportunity to ask published poet Ronna Bloom the crunchy, itchy, juicy questions about writing (and perhaps beyond!) that have been keeping you awake at night.

Creative Paths: A writing workshop that figures creativity into academic writing
Together with Michelle Fost, of The Academic Success Centre, join the Poet in Community, Ronna Bloom
for this two hour workshop that presents another way of doing essays.