Craft Your First Blackout Poem

*Please note this session has had a date change and is now being held on Thursday 23rd July*

Open to beginners and poetry-lovers alike, join us as we master the art of transformation and erasure by crafting our very own blackout poetry! In this 1.5 hour workshop attendees will learn a little history of the form before diving into techniques, tips, and dedicated writing time with guidance from local writer, Marina Deller. All materials will be provided.

While sometimes considered an intimidating form, poetry is really for all; blackout poetry especially is a playful, creative, and interesting form, so why not give it a try? We can't wait to see you there!

What is Blackout Poetry?

Blackout Poetry is a form of "found" poetry or "found object" art. The aim is to create something new from something which already exists. Usually created by "blacking out" existing writing to highlight what remains, it's all about reading between and across the lines and transforming existing writing into something unique. Great blackout poetry can be short or long, abstract or concrete, linear or lateral. There’s only one rule of the form: have fun making it!

Image: Fade Into a Blackout poetry

Bio: Dr Marina Deller is a local writer and multi-media artist, former creative arts teacher, and former bookseller with a PhD in Creative Writing. Marina's recent exhibition, The Myth of The Lonely Artist (The Mill, 2025) blended photographs and hand-written poetry to explore themes of isolation, togetherness, and creative process. Their poem 'Tadpoles' was painted on the streets of Adelaide as part of the Raining Poetry Festival.

This event is proudly part of LibrariesSA’s Firstival. Learn more at firstival.com.au.

This event is part of the Adelaide Hills Council Winter Words Program.

This event is for adults. We will also be running a blackout poetry session for children during the school holidays.

Photo credit: Perfectly Tolerable

Please note:
Events on Fire Danger Days

When a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is declared for the Mt Lofty Ranges, all Adelaide Hills Council Library branches will be closed, and all events and programs will be cancelled without notice.

When an Extreme 2 (75+) Fire Danger Rating is declared for the Mt Lofty Ranges, the Gumeracha Library will be closed and all events and programs will be cancelled without notice.

Events at all library branches may be subject to review on Fire Danger Days and may also be cancelled without notice.

Any monies paid will either be reimbursed or the event will be rescheduled for a later date.

Current fire danger ratings can be checked here: http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml