Are you a secret poet? Or do you have a couple of poems hiding in the bottom drawer? Come along to a supportive poetry workshop led by Red Room Creative Producer Izzy Roberts-Orr. Perfect for poets just starting out and those with a more established practice, this practical workshop will include writing exercises and a chance to share with the group. Plus, polish up your poetry submission for a paid poetry commission opportunity through the Phone-a-Poem project callout.

Izzy Roberts-Orr is a poet, writer, broadcaster and arts worker based on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country near Blackwood. Her debut poetry collection, Raw Salt, is published by Vagabond Press, and was the recipient of a Bundanon Artist Residency, Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellowship and Shortlisted for the Colorado Prize for Poetry. She was a 2020-2022 recipient of the Australia Council Marten Bequest Scholarship for Poetry, and her poetry has been widely published, performed and anthologised.

Please note: An additional session has been added on Tuesday 26 November. The workshop content will be the same on either date.

6:30-8pm, Tuesday 12 November (BOOKED OUT)

6:30-8pm, Tuesday 26 November (REPEAT SESSION)

About Phone-a-Poem

Pick up the landline handset and dial a number to hear a poem. Harnessing the magic of the Wonderfoon (made in Nederlands), this artwork riffs on John Giorno’s iconic 1969 artwork, ‘Dial-a-Poem’, featuring work by contemporary Australian poets.

The handset contains a pre-programmed .mp3 player, and can be installed on site for participants to engage with throughout the installation period. Thanks to support from Regional Arts Victoria, 10x new paid poetry commissions will be supported as part of this project, prioritising poets based in or with a strong connection to regional Victoria. Submissions will open in November - sign up to Poem Post to stay in the loop.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia. Phone-a-Poem is supported by the Australian Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program, Regional Arts Australia and Regional Arts Victoria.