Calling all emerging writers ages 18–26! Join us for a free creative writing workshop and write-in for aspiring writers on February 23, 2025 with Griffin Peralta, Reena Spansail, and Jesse James Ziegler at The Holland Project. Get to know Reno's literary community members and build new connections with fellow writers and poets. We will spend time learning about common roadblocks new writers face, getting to know each other, and, of course, writing! Your work will be published in a digital zine and a special Double Down blog post after the event so you can share your hard work with your friends and family!
A write-in is a dedicated hour or two in which writers come together and simply write. We will have an hour of dedicated writing time during this event, along with workshops and games.
Lunch will be provided. This is a free event. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Griffin Peralta is a spoken word poet, radio host, and educator from Reno, Nevada. His radio program on 97.7 KWNK features interviews with poets and artists from across the country. In 2024, he received an Emerging Artist Spotlight Feature at the Utah Arts Festival. Griffin performs poetry and emcees events with the Spoken Views Poetry Collective throughout the Great Basin. Visit griffinspiration.net for more information.
Photo courtesy of Griffin Peralta
Reena Spansail is a multimedia artist and public school arts educator living and working on Washo and Numu land. She is the descendent of mountain, river valley, and coastal peoples from the North and West of Europe, and their stories inform her own. Her literary artwork has been featured in a number of Great Basin and online publications including The Brushfire, The Meadow, and Montag Literary Arts Journals. Her visual artwork has been shown on the West Coast of the U.S.A. and in Viterbo, Italy, where she studied painting and sculpture under Federico Paris. She holds a B.A. in art and English literature and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nevada, Reno. She currently lives in Carson City and teaches art in the Truckee Meadows. Visit reenart.space for more information.
Photo courtesy of Reena Spansail
Jesse James Ziegler is currently serving as Poet Laureate for the City of Reno. He is the creator and manager of Monday Night Poetry and vice president for Spoken Views Collective. He is a member of the Sierra Literary Cooperative and the Spoken Word/Poetry contributor to Reno Arts News. He runs a twice monthly all ages poetry group/open mic True Colors in collaboration with Our Center. He was the first ever Poet in Residence for the Bruka Theatre and held that position for three consecutive seasons. His first collection of poetry, FIVE (2019), was published and brought to life through their annual new Works Festival. Follow Ziegler on Instagram @sidewayseightprojects.
Photo courtesy of Jesse James Ziegler
