Here, We Are

"Here, We Are" is a series of creative workshops that build community and engage with themes of identity centering mixed race, multiracial, and transracial adoptee experiences. Our hope is to connect the works generated in these workshops to the 2019 MidWest Mixed Conference. MidWest Mixed believes arts engagement enriches conversations about identity by encouraging creative modes of reflection, strengthening community relationships, and providing space for brave sharing.

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Here, We Are - Writing Workshop

Erin Sharkey facilitated one of our most popular workshops at the 2017 conference, and we are so excited to announce that Erin will be leading our second workshop for the "Here, We Are" series!

"Rich possibilities exist at the edges of genre. Come explore how hybrid forms might offer a way to write about our experiences as mixed race people. Join us for an opportunity to write and consider the meaning of our lives at the intersection of imagination and memory.

• September 16 from 1-4pm at the Eastside Food Coop located at 2551 Central Ave in Northeast Minneapolis!!!

• Open to all writing levels

• Light refreshment provided

***Space is limited to 20 participants, and you must register for this event via the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/here-we-are-writing-workshop-with-erin-sharkey-tickets-49551918121 

About the artist: Erin Sharkey is a poet, essayist, educator and graphic designer based in Minneapolis. She is the co-founder of an artist collective called Free Black Dirt and serves as the co-host for Black Market Reads, a weekly podcast about literature and black cultural production. Erin was a 2015 Givens Writing Fellow and is currently a Givens Foundation cultural producer-in-residence and Coffee House Press in the Stacks artist-in-residence at the Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature at the University of MN and also is a consultant with Umbra: Search African American History.

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Here, We Are - Self-Portrait

MidWest Mixed's Here, We Are series continues with a SELF-PORTRAIT WORKSHOP on Saturday, Oct. 20th 1-4PM - facilitated by our very own Leslie Barlow!

Leslie Barlow is a Minneapolis based artist and educator. Primarily an oil painter, her current work employs the figure and narrative elements to explore complex social issues like race, multiculturalism, "otherness," representation, and identity. She received her MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art in Design in 2016. Barlow has been featured in Minnesota Original (Spring 2016), and recognized as a 2016 Artist of the Year inCity Pages. She is a two time recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Initiative, and a 2017 recipient of the Foundation Award from the Minnesota State Fair Juried Exhibition. Check out her work here!

Event notes:

• Remember to bring a photo of yourself. Printed will be easier to work with, but on your phone is also okay.

• Paper, pencils, erasers, and snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring your own supplies.

• Space is limited - be sure to sign up early!

• While admission to the workshop is FREE of charge, please consider making a DONATION to help us cover the true cost of our programming. Donations can be made directly to MidWest Mixedthrough our PayPal link.

Here, We Are is a series of creative workshops hosted by MidWest Mixed. The workshops aim to build community and engage with themes of identity centering mixed race, multiracial, and transracial adoptee experiences. Our hope is to connect the works generated in these workshops to the 2019 MidWest Mixed Conference. MidWest Mixed believes arts engagement enriches conversations about identity by encouraging creative modes of reflection, strengthening community relationships, and providing space for brave sharing.

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/self-portrait-workshop-with-leslie-barlow-tickets-50466675184?aff=ebdssbdestsearch