Dralandra Larkins

Teaching Artist Statement: 

I found my voice in poetry during a challenging time in my life when I desperately needed to escape the confines of my household. It was a way to articulate emotions that felt too big and too complex. Writing allowed me to process my feelings and seek solace in words, transforming my pain into poetic pictures and imagery. For many, poetry becomes a sanctuary, especially for those of us who feel out of place in our surroundings and environment.

This early experience guides my approach in the classroom today. Just as I once sought refuge in poetry, I aim to provide that same refuge for my students. Regardless of their background or experiences, everyone deserves to feel valued and understood. I am intentional about creating a classroom environment that honors the diverse needs of every student to foster a culture of respect and vulnerability. In my classroom, we celebrate this diversity and the unique perspectives of others by introducing spoken word poetry in unique and innovative ways.

Oracle Poetry

Participants will discover the power of storytelling through intuitive writing with oracle cards to unlock emotions and memories waiting to be told. We will learn how to master the art of word choice using a metaphor map, and use rhythm, intuition, and voice to craft compelling spoken word poetry. This class is for writers seeking fresh inspiration and community.  You will leave this workshop with a personal poetic affirmation card and the courage to share your work with others, because when we reveal, we heal!

Poetic Plates The Art of Letting Go

 This workshop invites participants to explore self-expression and vulnerability through a meditative writing exercise inspired by oracle cards and writing prompts. You’ll learn foundational poetic devices and writing techniques to process negative emotions and create an intuitive poem. Taking your words beyond the page, you’ll transfer them onto a glass plate—your creative canvas—using acrylic paint and Sharpies. We will partake in a therapeutic plate smashing exercise to symbolize breaking free from limitations and fears. 

Planting Poetic Affirmations

Are you ready to plant seeds of renewal and prosperity into your life? Join our workshop to plant poetic seeds for yourself! Participants will be guided through a meditative writing exercise using oracle cards to create a personalized affirmation poem. In small groups, participants are given cactus plants, succulents and a plant pot to decorate using acrylic paint. We will discuss what seeds have been planted in our minds about ourselves – are they seeds of compassion and patience for oneself? Participants will leave this workshop with foundational knowledge of poetic devices, their own poetic affirmation card, and a decorated plant pot with a flower to symbolize their journey of growth and transformation!

Poetry Sculpture Garden

Students will write a contemporary poem that explores a personal or historic theme and create a clay sculpture to visually symbolize the theme in their poem. Each participant is provided with a personal 1 pound Clay Kit that allows them to create sculpture during class and to take home! Students will present their contemporary poem alongside their clay sculpture to the class, demonstrating their understanding of poetic elements and the connection between their written work and visual art.

Subway Spoken Word: A Performance Workshop

 Is there a poem in your journal that’s waiting to be performed on stage, but you aren’t sure how to do it? In this workshop, participants will learn which key ingredients make for a delicious spoken word performance. Packing one ingredient at a time, we will learn foundational spoken-word elements, how to master the art of word choice using a metaphor map, and how to use the body as a communicative tool to captivate an audience. Your personal experiences and emotions will serve as the foundation for crafting poems that are authentic and powerful. Allow yourself to be seen, to be heard and to be healed as you venture into verse. Let’s cook!

Fund your Passion: Grant-Writing Strategies (Professional Development)

Join us for an insightful workshop designed to equip artists, organizations, and community leaders with the essential tools for crafting successful grant proposals. This workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively structure their proposals. Participants will learn best practices. 

Scrapbook Poetry

It all starts in a notebook, right? In “Scrapbook Poetry”, we will dive into a river of words, imagery, metaphors and visual art. This series encourages curious beginners to share their imagination and creativity using their unique voices in the form of performance poetry known as spoken word. Students will develop their poetic style- they are given art supplies to create a scrapbook, and a collection of their original poems across various forms including contemporary free-verse to traditional Haikus. Students will be exposed to multiple different mediums while learning to write poetry including: clay sculpting, gardening, scrapbooking and performance. They are highly encouraged to share and perform their works- enhancing their understanding of poetic expression and visual art integration. Expect to be exposed to poetry in a non-traditional way and nudged out of your usual language as you venture into verse!

In this residency, students will:

– Create a scrapbook journal and a poetic bookmark of their poem

– Use Oracle Cards to write contemporary free-verse poetry

– Work with clay to create a clay sculpture that visually captures and symbolizes a theme in a poem

– Learn how to use the body as a communicative tool on stage

– Learn how to use specific words and voice as an instrument to captivate an audience

– Plant cactus plants and decorate plant pot using paint while learning how to write traditional poetry including Haikus

BEFORE I LIE (SPOKEN WORD POETRY PERFORMANCE) 

Dralandra Larkins is a 2-time award-winning spoken-word poet. Dralandra uses poetry and storytelling to promote vulnerability and healing. Her performances weave together words, rhythm, and intimacy to create a haven for healing, advocacy and self-discovery. She believes spoken-word is an invitation to speak up and stand out! It is a practice meant for those whose tongues have been silenced and stories untold. In the “Before I Lie” performance, she debuts her first self-published poetry audiobook and centers dialogue around the themes of identity, trauma and joy. Note: Dralandra can perform as a solo artist with or without music.