Dralandra Larkins is an award-winning spoken word poet, author of “Before I Lie, 2025”, and a recipient of the MN State Arts Board Creative Individuals grant. Her work is featured in literary publications including the League of Minnesota Poets Agates Anthology, MN Women’s Press, Tupelo Press, The Edge Magazine, and Insight News. She is the co-editor of two anthologies, Cracked Walnut’s Rewilding Hope (2023) and The Nations Underground: Writing With Our Ancestors (2024). As a certified partitioner and social worker, her spoken word performances weave together words, rhythm, and intimacy to create a haven for healing, advocacy, and self-discovery for those seeking solace, empowerment, and connection.
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.
