EVENTS & PROJECTS

Poetry and Pottery is a mainstay of summer in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It is a fantastic partnership between local potter Mark Wong, the City of Manitou Springs, local businesses, and Poetry Heals. During summer months, we meet weekly in the pavilion at Soda Springs Park in Manitou Springs to bring our poetry and local artist Mark Wong‘s potters’ wheels and traveling kiln to the public. Thanks to a generous grant from the Manitou Art, Culture and History fund and soup from the Tava Food Truck at Sunwater Spa, we’re able to nourish the body and soul of some of Manitou Springs’ unhoused residents while providing free art experiences. Poetry and Pottery serves as a favorite stop for locals and tourists, too. Poetry and Pottery brings all three populations together to promote tolerance and understanding.

When the COVID pandemic hit and we could not host public events, Poetry Heals and Wong Wares created Poetry ON Pottery. We handed out balls of class at the Manitou Art Center, provided online instruction in making clay trays for writing on and online poetry workshops, then participants brought their finished pieces back to the MAC where they were glazed and fired. The finale was a large display of all the pieces at the MAC for people to come claim their pieces. We will continue to do this project as the need and funds arise.

In response to the stress of the pandemic on front line workers and caregivers, Poetry Heals created Caring for Caregivers as a 24/7/365 online resource. We have fill in the blank poems, writing prompts, DIY workshops, all available and all free. You can work online or download materials for later. This site is designed for people to spend 5 minutes or an hour, what every time you have to regroup and center. Click here to visit Caring for Caregivers!