Join us for an ekphratic poetry workshop followed by an open mic! Ekphrastic poetry is writing inspired by visual art, using vivid language to bring artwork to life through words.

No pressure to perform. While both events are FREE and open to the public, we ask that you please register for the poetry workshop as seating is limited. Click the Donate & Tickets button above.

Poetry Workshop with Stephen Danos.

Stephen is the author of three chapbooks, including Missing Slides (Horse Less Press). In 2024, his poetry manuscript Crowd Noise was selected by Matthew Rohrer as an Honorable Mention for Tupelo Press' Berkshire Prize; it was also finalist for Tupelo's Helena Whitehill Book Award in 2023 and 2024. His writing has appeared in American Letters & Commentary, Boston Review, Fence, Northwest Review, Pleiades, Sprung Formal, TAMMY, and other places. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Iowa and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing—Poetry from Columbia College Chicago. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Open Mic Hosted by Claire Nelson

Claire is a psychiatric nurse at the mental health crisis center in Bemidji, MN, and a part-time writer. A native of Fosston, MN, she has a background in storytelling through poetry, prose, and spoken word, with experience performing at local, state, and national levels during both secondary school and college. While the accolades were meaningful, it’s the role storytelling played in her personal healing journey that matters most. For Claire, it remains one of the most raw and powerful ways to create and heal out loud. Her work as a nurse and passionate mental health advocate has inspired her to share her voice with people from all walks of life. She deeply believes in Firefly’s mission to create and share as a path to wellness and connection in her hometown. As the great Taylor Swift once said, “Looking backwards might be the only way to move forward.” Claire is honored to co-host a night of healing out loud with the community that raised her.

Poetry Workshop & Open Mic

By Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing

Poetry Workshop & Open Mic