Loft Themes
Loft Themes
Much like how an art museum might present a special exhibit, the Loft is introducing seasonal thematic programming. Our themes will help connect you across many of the Loft program offerings. We believe that poems and stories can be an important lens through which to view the world, and can be part of important issues and conversations in civic life. Loft themes will compel us all to look at the words we write and authors we read in new ways.
Outside My Window (Fall: Sept–Dec 2021)
Many of us felt our worlds shrink a bit during the last year as vacations were cancelled, offices closed, and events postponed. But we also found that some of the most powerful stories are the ones right in our backyards. Writing from right where we are can tell us a lot about ourselves, our neighbors, and the world around us.
When we look through a window, we see the world from a unique perspective. What story can only we tell? How might someone looking through another window see it? What are we missing when we can only see a bit of the world through a pane of glass? And in a time when many of us are isolated from each other, how do we bring all of these perspectives together?
This fall the Loft will explore the mosaic of stories and perspectives from each of our respective windows. Join us for classes, events, and programs starting September 2021.
Outside My Window Offerings
The thematic classes and event offered this fall.
ADULT CLASS: Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy: A Window into New Worlds
September 15–November 3, 2021 | with Lyda Morehouse
Join this class to look out the backyard window into new worlds that still reflect current, personal values. We will read stories by queer SF/F writers of color, forge our own new tales, and hone our works-in-progress.
EVENT: Carnival Lights and A Council of Dolls—Native Authors on the Continuing Horrors of Colonization
November 4, 2021, 7 p.m.–8:45 p.m. CT | with Susan Power and Chris Stark
The horrors of colonization for Native people continue, from missing women to the discovery of boarding house mass graves. Susan Power and Chris Stark will discuss this crucial subject, related to their recent books.
ADULT CLASS: Outside My Window: A New Look
November 6, 2021, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. CT | with Marge Barrett
Join in reading works of Danez Smith, Claudia Rankine, Anne Carson, Maggie Nelson, Tommy Orange, and Ocean Vuong. In this workshop, we’ll discuss pieces from these writers to see what they teach us about ourselves and our world.
ADULT CLASS: Image and Association
November 13, 2021, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | with Emily Lee Luan
Images often work to surprise a reader. In this class, we will move through a series of guided free writes to activate association and juxtaposition in our images and create unexpected frameworks for emotion, events, and ideas.
Upcoming Themes
Winter 2022 (Jan-Apr 2022): Know Your Place(!)?
Fall 2022 (Sep-Dec 2022): Fellowship
Winter 2023 (Jan-Apr 2023): Homage/Tribute
Previous Themes
Fall 2017 (Sep–Nov 2017): Vigilance
Winter 2018 (Jan–Mar 2018): True North
Spring 2018 (Mar–May 2018): To Be Honest
Fall 2018 (Sep–Dec 2018): Fairy Tales
Winter 2019 (Jan–Apr 2019): Needs
Fall 2019 (Sep–Dec 2019): If
Fall 2020 (Sep–Dec 2020): Choice and Chance
Winter 2021 (Jan–April 2021): Sense of Adventure