What's New?

Projects: Text & Image

Here I am (above, left) with Pam Sloan, Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Evanston Township High School. Pam approached me last summer with this question: If you had to choose one poem to serve as a springboard for art-making in K-12 classrooms, what poem would you choose?

What a great question! We needed a piece of literature that beginning readers and sophisticated teenagers alike could relate to...and generate ideas for imaginative art-making.

After rifling through my library, I suggested Pablo Neruda's lovely and inclusive "Ode to Things," which starts:
I have a crazy,
crazy love of things.

Months later, on January 7, a fascinating exhibit was opened to the public. Art teachers throughout Evanston's District 65 mounted work by their students inspired by Neruda's poem: collages, sculptures, paintings, graphic design, photography...The event included a bilingual performance of the poem by students.

It was a privilege and a pleasure! Try to stop by and see this exhibit if you are an Evanstonian (the exhibition is in the library).

Projects: Text & Image #2

Privately, I've been painting self-portaits and writing poems in response. I hope to take this idea into classrooms soon. Learn more here.

Publication

I'm proud to announce my first collection of poetry has been published by Mayapple Press (2008). Poet Maureen Seaton comments:

In This Must Be the Place, Alice George has packaged her beguiling ubiquitous mind in impeccably wrought, imaginatively conceived, stunning lyric narratives--collages, prose, lively couplets, and series within series. Through everything wonderful--the political, familial, and fantastic--she gives us her steady, settling voice. What a holiday! I adore this book!

You can order the book at Mayapple or Amazon or by stopping by Women & Children First bookstore (Chicago). Visit my new poetry website for more information about readings, etc.

Where I'm teaching in 2009-2010

• The University of Chicago's Graham School Certificate in Creative Writing program. This year marks the third year I've taught in this great program for adults.
• School Residences:
  -King Lab Magnet School (fall): Encore 8th grade unit integrating with L.A. unit focusing on poetry and "Bronx Masquerade". Visit the new showcase of 8th grade work.
  -North Shore Country Day Poetry Festival (winter)
  -Washington Elementary School (winter): Encore six-week residency with 2nd graders. Homemade poetry journals were created in conjunction with the art teacher.
  -Willard Elementary (spring)
  -King Lab Magnet School (spring): 13-week residency via Project AIM (Columbia College): text & image (tentative)
• Summer: I'll teach Advanced Creative Writing in the Center for Talent Development's Summer Program (Equinox, Session II).
• I may teach another adult workshop at the Writers Work Space. Email me if you're interested.