This month, as part of our 25th anniversary festivities, we’re celebrating the creative spirit in all its aspects and are hosting a series of talks and workshops on the meaning of creativity and how to best get involved in the creative arts. With this mood of inspiration in mind, we’ve put together this guide to help people get creative.
WRITING
Compiled by LYNDA NASH
RESIDENTIAL WRITING COURSE
Conwy, north Wales
Sat 4-Thurs 9 Nov and Sat 3-Thurs 8 Mar 2018
Run by Cinnamon Press authors Jan Fortune and Adam Craig and held at Ty’n y Coed cottages in the peaceful Snowdonia countryside, these courses are designed to help stimulate your creativity, improve your writing techniques and bring your words to life whether you are working on fiction or poetry. Groups are small and each participant will have a chance to share their work as well as time to write and relax.
Admission: £100
Info: www.cinnamonpress.com
EARTH SONG AND HEART STORIES
New Quay, West Wales
Fri 23-Sun 25 June
Get in touch with nature on a woodland yurt retreat that combines story and song. Naked Voice practitioners Sally Davies and Sonia Caller will help you discover your own unique and authentic voice through storytelling and poetry dives. Enjoy a gong bath for relaxation – ideal for unblocking your imagination – share words and music around the fire and connect with the elements.
Admission: TBC
Info: 01239 711859 / [email protected]
SWANSEA AND DISTRICT WRITERS’ CIRCLE
County Hall, Oystermouth Road, Swansea
First Wednesday of every month except August
A group for writers of all ages and experience, from beginner to professional, who meet to discuss the craft of writing. Meetings often include guest speakers and members get chance to share their work and receive feedback in a supportive atmosphere.
Admission: free
Info: www.swanseawriters.co.uk
NEWPORT U3A
Shaftesbury Street Church, Shaftesbury Street, Newport
It’s never too late to learn and the U3A offer creative writing courses for beginners. Work at your own pace under the guidance of Wales Comic Verse winner Pam Cocchiara and poet Angela Platt. No experience needed and no qualifications gained – simply experience the joy of discovering your own potential.
Info: www.newportu3a.org.uk
OPEN MIC POETRY
Every month
Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil
Wales Book Of The Year-shortlisted author Stephen Payne leads the evening and introduces some of Wales’ best writers. Attendees are encouraged to read their own work and there’s time to chat informally with the visiting author. An open mic is just the place to share your writing with a wider audience and practise your performance skills.
Admission: free
Info: www.literaturewales.org
CAERPHILLY SCRIBES
Every Thursday
Caerphilly Library, The Twyn
Writing is a serious business but this writing workshop puts the fun back into learning. Discuss techniques, try exercises in poetry and prose, share your work and receive feedback from a professional tutor. Informal and friendly, there is also a morning session for more advanced writers.
Info: caerphillyscribes.wordpress.com
FREE WRITE
Last Friday of the month
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
A drop-in writers’ group created by performance poet Mab Jones and hosted by writer Will Ford. The sessions have no fixed agenda except to get you in the flow. Come along and connect with poets, storytellers, spoken word artists, novelists and other wordsmiths: read, write and share.
Admission: free
Info: willdeanford.wordpress.com
CARDIFF MUSEUM WRITERS
Every other Tuesday during autumn and spring school terms
Cardiff Story Museum
Need to awaken your muse? The group was set up to encourage the writing and sharing of short prose and poetry written in response to chosen objects. Where better to find inspiration than from the exhibits and artefacts?
Admission: £15
Tel: 01446 733945 / www.cardiffmuseum.com