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Writing to Exhale: Poet Concludes Fellowship with Open Mic

Over the past five months, poet Jamie-Lee Elizabeth, a 2023 KHAC Vibrancy Fellow, has been exploring themes of love, friendship, loss, joy, and black womanhood through a series of workshops and her own writing. She will conclude her fellowship at Kennedy Heights Arts Center with an Open Mic in KHAC’s Lindner Annex on Saturday, July 29.

We recently sat down with Jamie-Lee to talk about the fellowship experience, the Open Mic event, and what’s up next for this vibrant emerging artist.

How has this fellowship impacted you as an artist?

“This experience has been very affirming. Going through the fellowship helped me cultivate my identity as an artist.”

“Having this opportunity helped me feel confident in creating brave spaces – and to see that these spaces are not only necessary but people value it. This is the space that I was personally looking for – for myself and others – where we can be vulnerable, share stories, share experiences, feel safe and supported as we create our own writing. It’s really refreshing to see.”

What can we expect on July 29th?

“I am excited to hear from all the poets [at the Open Mic event on July 29]. Many of these poets have been mentors to me. It feels good to give back to people who have poured into me and saw the artist in me. I’m also excited to hear from the workshop participants and other community members as they take the stage.”

What’s next for you?

“That’s a hard question! I hope to have more opportunities to grow into a clear vision of what it looks like to be an independent artist. Not limiting myself, challenging myself to put my work out there… even more than I’m comfortable with. And if the opportunity does not exist, I will create it for myself.”

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Concluding her Vibrancy Fellowship, Jamie-Lee Elizabeth invites everyone to a community Open Mic Night in Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex on Saturday, July 29 at 7pm. Featuring local poets and community members sharing their work in a supportive setting, with free refreshments.

Enjoy this exciting evening with music by DJ Queen Celine and eight featured poets: Camille Jones, DuWaup, Gifted, Keisa Speaks, Laura Wize, Lotus B Renée, The Silent Poet, and TyVictoria. We also invite others to sign up to share your original poetry/writing as well!

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