SubVERSive was expanded in 2009 thanks to a grant from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation. Different groups explored the integration of poetry and video as it addressed the hard topic of prejudice.
Over the past 8 months, groups of teens have worked with poets to create spoken words poems, which have been translated into often powerful films. Please come to watch short films from Crosswalk, Medicine Wheel Academy, Odyssey Youth, The Structured Alternative Confinement School, Alexandria’s House and Havermale High School and experience their stories of discrimination and prejudice.
Why this project?
Poetry is incredibly visual and a wonderful tool for sharing perspectives and experiences. Our goal is to foster understanding and respect and combat ideas of prejudice through poetic art.
Funding and Partners
Funding for this project has been provided through a grant from the Starbucks Foundation.
Our community partners are Odyssey Youth Center and the MLK Center, Central Valley High School, Medicine Wheel Academy.
Project Timeline
SubVERSive groups met around Spokane throughout 2007. Local poets met the students as they explored issues of prejudice and learned how to voice their experiences through poetry. Our partners were the Martin Luther King Family Outreach Center, Odyssey Youth Center, Central Valley High School, and Medicine Wheel Academy at Havermale High School. Final projects wrapped up in November with showcases in December.
Showcase Information
We held two showcases of the SubVERSive videos!
Wed. Dec 5th at 7pm - at the Empyrean (154 S. Madison) - This was in conjunction with the Spokane Poetry Slam.
Mon. Dec 10th at 7pm - at the Starbucks on Sullivan in Spokane Valley (506 N. Sullivan)
Support the Program
If you would like to make a donation to help keep the Subversive Poetry program available for teens please contact Tara Neumann at 744-0972.
You can also support the program by purchasing a DVD of the Subversive videos. DVDs include all four videos plus bonus materials and are $10 each. To order a dvd email joe@tincan.org.
Future Plans
We are currently seeking funding to make Subversive an ongoing program. If you are interested in being part of Subversive please contact Joe Comine at 744-0972.
