Please stay tuned for updates!
April 24
Two weeks after completing the writing of The Power of Story, Harold R. Johnson passed away. His wife, Joan Johnson, stewarded his manuscript through to publication. She will visit Green River in April to listen and share stories with our community. Look for more information on opportunities to visit with Joan!
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April 24 | 12pm - 2pm | Grand Hall, Student Union Building
Jamaar Smiley will perform an original poem with students who have worked with Jamaar since Fall quarter to explore their stories and tell them through their own original performance poem. Come witness this exciting culmination of the project. Bring your snaps, bring your own stories, and bring your joy!
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April 29 | 1pm - 2:30pm
Despite the graphic novel’s skyrocketing popularity, many still view the art form as unsophisticated or less credible than traditional forms of literature. In this talk, comic artist Josh Tuininga shows how comic books and graphic novels are not only powerful art forms, but have unique abilities to challenge young readers in surprising ways and can help prepare students for a rapidly changing future.
Tuininga traces the origins of sequential art—exploring the evolution of the art form and its impact on readers and culture throughout history. He also shares an in-depth look at the sequential art process as he presents his graphic novel, We Are Not Strangers—a true family story which follows a Jewish immigrant’s efforts to help his Japanese-American neighbors while they are incarcerated during World War II.
Nov. 4 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
This hybrid lecture/writing workshop with writer Tara Campbell will empower you to start imagining the world of the future through writing exercises in the speculative fiction genre. You’ll start with a warm-up prompt before tackling questions about how current socio-political and technological issues might affect them in the decades to come.
Nov. 14 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Bring your lunch and a pen!
This workshop encourages us to explore our shared stories and "lifestory" by looking at the stories we tell within and about our families.
About this presentation, the Humanities Washington website says,
"Tell the stories that have preoccupied, amused, and defined your family for generations. In this hour-long generative writing workshop, essayist Kristen Millares Young will use guided prompts and discussions to help you plan, write, and revise your family stories. By reflecting on intimate truths, we can redefine how we think about ourselves and our kin, contribute to our communities, and spark vital conversations."
This event is open to everyone! Please join us to explore the power of story. 🙂
Feb 5 | 12pm - 1pm | River Room, Student Union Building (in-person only)
Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam, is admired globally for telling mythological stories. However, the Bharatanatyam dance is beyond Indian mythology—its hand gestures and head-eye-neck movements can be woven into specific feet and body movements to tell any stories, poems, or narrations.
Using illustrated examples and live demonstrations, Indian classical dancer Piyali Biswas De explores some methodologies from Classical Bharatanatyam dance to tell a story. Join Piyali and immerse yourself in the gestures and expressions that weave tales and witness a short live captivating dance performance. Ready to tell your story with Indian classical moves?
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Feb 20 | 12pm-1pm | River Room, Student Union Building
At the age of 55, John Halliday became legally blind. As a Muckleshoot Tribal member of Duwamish ancestry, Halliday says his Native American world view, cultural traditions, and values, which have sustained Native tribes throughout history, long before colonization, have helped him overcome the challenges associated with losing his sight.
Too often, our understanding of American history begins with foreign European powers “settling” the land—as though no thriving human communities existed here. Woven in with John’s personal story, audiences will learn Washington State history from a Native American perspective, and how that history can teach resilience.