Press Release - Write/Walk
April 28th, 2010 by AdminFor Immediate Release
San Francisco, April 28, 2010
Media contact: Melissa Hung, 415-252-2546, melissa.hung@sfgov.org
WritersCorps Launches WRITE/WALK –
A Walking Tour of the Mission
April 28, 2010 – SAN FRANCISCO — WritersCorps and the San Francisco Arts Commission are pleased to announce write/walk, a public literary arts project in collaboration with Mission District businesses and organizations. write/walk is a walking tour of poems, displayed on colorful art posters in Mission storefronts, written by 11 young poets who attend WritersCorps workshops at Mission High School.
The posters will be up for the month of May, and will be accompanied by a free write/walk guidebook available at all participating merchants. The guidebook features a map of the tour, reproductions of the posters, and additional writing from Mission High School students. The booklet and posters will also be available at writerscorps.org. An inaugural tour leaves from Mission High School at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, followed by a reading at Modern Times Bookstore from 7:00–9:00 p.m. For more information, call (415) 252-4655.
“This unique project creates a sense of community by bringing youth voices into vibrant storefronts,” says Luis R. Cancel, the city’s director of cultural affairs. “We hope that people who see the posters will learn about WritersCorps’ stewardship in creating the next generation of local writers and poets.”
Participating merchants and organizations include: Candy Store Collective, Adobe Book Shop, Bombay Ice Cream, Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, Borderlands Books, Dog Eared Books, 826 Valencia, Dolores Street Community Services, Retro Fit Vintage, Amore Pet Supply, and Modern Times Bookstore . WritersCorps gratefully acknowledges the support of Elks Lodge No. 169-Mission for this project.
WritersCorps, a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission and the San Francisco Public Library, is a 16-year-old literary arts program that places professional writers in community settings to teach creative writing to youth. Since its inception in 1994, the program has helped more than 16,000 youth improve their literacy skills while developing their self-confidence and passion to learn. It is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 and of numerous other National Endowment for the Arts awards.
WritersCorps has placed a writer-in-residence at Mission High School annually for many years. The students featured in write/walk worked under the instruction of WritersCorps teaching artist Carrie Leilam Love.
Calendar Listing
WHAT: write/walk Walking Tour and Reading featuring students from Mission High School who have participated in the award-winning WritersCorps program.
WHEN: May 12, 2010, 6:00-9:00 pm
• write/walk Walking Tour, 6:00-7:00 pm
WHERE: Meet at Mission High School, 3750 18th Street
• write/walk Reading, 7:00-9:00 pm
WHERE: Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia Street
COST: FREE
INFORMATION: For more information: 415-252-4655 or visit writerscorps.org
Click on the thumbnails below to view and download the posters:
About WritersCorps
WritersCorps, a joint project of the San Francisco Arts Commission and San Francisco Public Library, places professional writers in community settings to teach creative writing to youth. Since its inception in 1994, the program has helped more than 16,000 youth improve their literacy and increase their desire to learn. WritersCorps publishes award-winning publications and produces local and national events featuring young people. With sites in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and the Bronx, WritersCorps’ vision is to transform and strengthen individuals and communities using the written word.
WritersCorps gratefully acknowledges the support of the San Francisco Public Library, the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council; the Louis R. Lurie Foundation; Elks Lodge No. 169-Mission, and individuals.
About the San Francisco Arts Commission
The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is the City agency that champions the arts in San Francisco. We believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the City’s well-being. Established by charter in 1932, SFAC programs integrate the arts into all aspects of City life. Programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Arts & Education, Cultural Equity Grants, Public Art, SFAC Gallery, Street Artists Licensing, and the San Francisco Symphony Youth and Community Concert Series. The agency’s core values are committed to the principle that all residents have equal access to arts experiences in all disciplines, that programs are provided comprehensively and evenly throughout the City, and that they are innovative and of the highest quality.
