Class

Exploring Place Through Creative Nonfiction (for ages 15 To 18)

Welcome to the Loft's Summer Youth program at Open Book! Join us for a week of writing, creativity, and exploration!

In this multigenre class, we’ll use outdoor spaces to inspire essays, poetry, and prose. The creative process is shaped by environment, so we'll use Minneapolis as our muse. We’ll write on-site at iconic locations like the Stone Arch Bridge, Mill City Museum and Ruins, the Guthrie Theater, the Minneapolis Central Library, and City Hall. Each setting offers unique inspiration, from riverfront serenity to urban energy.

Our days will begin at the Loft Literary Center before we venture out for daily walking or metro trips.

As part of class, students will read works by established writers who incorporate nature and wildlife, analyzing how these elements shape deeper themes. Through in-class exercises and discussions, students will create their own work, integrating the natural world into personal narratives.

By the end of the week, students will have a portfolio of work reflecting their connection to nature and place. Join us for a dynamic week of creativity and community!

Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate gear are essential, as we’ll write rain or shine.