PNCA’s Critical Studies and Creative Writing Programs Sponsor AWP Conference in Portland, March 28-30

March 14, 2019

PNCA’s MA in Critical Studies, BFA and Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing programs are Patron Sponsors of this year’s Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) annual conference being held at the Oregon Convention Center from Thursday, March 28 to Saturday, March 30th.

The conference is comprised of three components:

  1. The book fair with exhibitors (small presses, universities, literary arts organizations; essentially the most amazing book sale on earth)---Oregon Convention Center. As Patron Sponsors, we have a wonderful location: T4021 is our exhibit space, and here's a map. Please stop by and visit us!
  2. Panels, Talks, Lectures, & Readings on creative writing, critical writing, pedagogy, politics, culture and so much more at the Oregon Convention Center. (AWP Conference Schedule)
  3. Reading, parties, events---off-site in the evenings all over the city. (AWP's Off-Site Event Schedule )

PNCA is hosting off-site events all three evenings:

Thursday, March 28

Wave Books: Burning Deck Exhibition and Tribute to Rosmarie and Keith Waldrop (Waldrop's collage shown above)

Location: Mediatheque / PNCA

6-9 pm

A display of Burning Deck publications from the past 60 years, including rare letterpress editions and magazines, along with a casual reading celebration, with many collaborators, friends, and former students of the Waldrops and PNCA creative writing faculty reading from favorite Burning Deck or Waldrop books. Featuring Alejandro de Acosta, Rae Armantrout, Kristin P. Bradshaw, Lee Ann Brown, Matthew Cooperman, Danielle Dutton, E. Tracy Grinnell, Aaron Kunin, Sawako Nakayusa, Jena Osman, Lisa Pearson, Sarah Riggs, Martin Riker, Cole Swensen, Lynn Xu, Magdalena Zurawski, and others. Exhibit open from 6 to 9pm, readings begin at 6:30 and 8:00. Presented by Wave Books and PNCA's BFA in Creative Writing and Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing.

Tender Table: Food & Storytelling by Diana Khoi Nguyen, Ashley Toliver, & Amy Lam

Location: Room 601 / PNCA

6:30-8:30 pm

Tender Table is a storytelling platform for women, trans men, and nonbinary folks who are black, indigenous, or people of color. We seek out narratives about the sweet, savory, sour, and bitter relationships to food and its connections to identity, memory, and community. At Tender Table, all are welcome—expect to be immersed in stories, and sample delicious food prepared by the speakers. Diana Khoi Nguyen is the author of Ghost Of (Omnidawn). Ashley Toliver is the author of Spectra (Coffee House Press). Amy Lam is the John & Renee Grisham fellow at the University of Mississippi.

Friday, March 29

Professor Monica Drake hosts nonfiction writers Stephanie Land & Kelly Sundberg

Location: Corporeal Writing, 510 SW 3rd, Suite 101, 7-9 pm

Please join host Monica Drake from PNCA for an offsite AWP reading with bestselling authors Stephanie Land and Kelly Sundberg at Corporeal Center, March 29, 7pm. Presented on behalf of the PNCA Low Residency MFA and the BFA programs.

Kelly Sundberg’s essays have appeared in Guernica, Gulf Coast, The Rumpus, Denver Quarterly, Slice Magazine, and others. Her essay “It Will Look Like a Sunset” was selected for inclusion in Best American Essays 2015, and other essays have been listed as notables in the same series. She has a PhD in Creative Nonfiction from Ohio University, and she has been the recipient of fellowships or grants from Vermont Studio Center, A Room of Her Own Foundation, Dickinson House, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Professor Shawna Lipton and Dr. Sarah Kruse host Barrow Street Books Reading

Location: PNCA Design Corridor, 511 NW Broadway, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Barrow Street Press presents an evening of poetry celebrating their 2018/2019 new book releases. Featuring Sally Ball, Tina Barr, Curtis Bauer, and Jacqueline Lyons. Reading Followed by complementary wine and cheese reception and book signing.

Saturday, March 30

Professor Rory Sparks hosts Broadsides Launch Party and Print Demo with Ecotone + Lookout Books.

Location: Print Studio / PNCA, 511 NW Broadway, 6-7:30 pm

Featuring readings by Cortney Lamar Charleston and Molly Tenenbaum, & letterpress printing with Rory Sparks. Light refreshments to be served. Come celebrate with Ecotone and Lookout staff and contributors!