Taft Gearing up for Cultural Renaissance?
December 23, 2009
Taft College literary students read their writing as part of the final exam at Taft Crude Coffe House last Thursday. The writing class is taught by Professor Geoffrey Dyer.
Taft College students read poems and short stories to a small but appreciative crowd at Taft Crude Coffee House on Thursday, December 17. If the quality of work produced by these local authors wasn't enough to make people rethink any stereotypes about Taft lacking in arts and culture, the conversations following the reading about upcoming local events were. While student authors discussed their work with friends and attendees, the words "college literary magazine" and "performing arts venue" were brought up.
During an era in which education in the arts stands to be further marginalized by rapidly diminishing budgets, who would suspect that the little town of Taft is actually producing more cultural opportunities in the arts? The Friends of Taft College Library might, as they are currently looking for authors to bring to Taft for book signings and coordinating a multi-media performance and exhibition of local visual art, music, and literature. Taft College, who has brought authors to Taft such as Reyna Grande and Lu Chi Fa and who are constructing an outdoor amphitheatre may be anticipating the transformation as well. Even the city itself, with its work on the Fifth Street Plaza as a public place for the arts and other public uses, seems to not only be anticipating the cultural renaissance but facilitating it. The beauty of all of this for the people of Taft is not only more opportunities to enjoy the arts as spectators, but also more opportunities to experience the arts and unlock their own creative talents.
Over the last year and a half, Taft College's creative writing class has been growing. Members of the local community who want to develop their writing or have an interest in exploring the crafts of fiction and poetry should take heart to note that many of the student authors who performed their work last Thursday and sounded like seasoned writers' were themselves shy at first and perhaps did not initially understand their full potential.
Student Joey Stockman says of the class, "It's gratifying to be participating in such a class as this, where you have an open forum to explore your own writing and the writing of your peers." Within the class, students of all ages share their work with one another, hone their craft, and explore publication of their own writing.
It was clear to anyone at the class's performance Thursday that the students were very close, and any inhibitions or shyness they once possessed about their writing had vanished. They listened to one another attentively and exchanged their own self-published chapbooks after. "There was a time when I wrote for fun, and now because of this class I actually go to school for fun," Student Mychal Thompson says. If you have a talent or interest in writing fiction or poetry and exploring publication, enrolling in Taft College's creative writing class is an excellent option. It certainly has paid off for these students, if Thursday's event was any indicator.
Students at Taft College are currently working to establish an annual literary magazine. The magazine, which will function as a student club, will be an opportunity for student editors to learn about the other side of publication and for local authors to submit their writing. Of the literary magazine, student Jessica Miller says, "Taft seriously lacks the means for artists to channel their creativity, and a literary journal, even if it was for students only, would be a great avenue for them."
But the change in Taft isn't just about writers. Visual artists, thespians, and musicians roam the streets of Taft as well, and Dr David Layne, Professor of Business and member of Friends of Taft College Library, is determined to give these artistic voices a forum. Layne is working to facilitate a performing arts event in Taft in April of 2010 that would showcase drama, interpretive readings, visual art, and local music. If you are an artist, actor, musician or writer, contact Dr Layne at HYPERLINK mailto:dlayne@taft.org dlayne@taft.org to enquire about joining the program for the event.
During an era in which education in the arts stands to be further marginalized by rapidly diminishing budgets, who would suspect that the little town of Taft is actually producing more cultural opportunities in the arts? The Friends of Taft College Library might, as they are currently looking for authors to bring to Taft for book signings and coordinating a multi-media performance and exhibition of local visual art, music, and literature. Taft College, who has brought authors to Taft such as Reyna Grande and Lu Chi Fa and who are constructing an outdoor amphitheatre may be anticipating the transformation as well. Even the city itself, with its work on the Fifth Street Plaza as a public place for the arts and other public uses, seems to not only be anticipating the cultural renaissance but facilitating it. The beauty of all of this for the people of Taft is not only more opportunities to enjoy the arts as spectators, but also more opportunities to experience the arts and unlock their own creative talents.
Over the last year and a half, Taft College's creative writing class has been growing. Members of the local community who want to develop their writing or have an interest in exploring the crafts of fiction and poetry should take heart to note that many of the student authors who performed their work last Thursday and sounded like seasoned writers' were themselves shy at first and perhaps did not initially understand their full potential.
Student Joey Stockman says of the class, "It's gratifying to be participating in such a class as this, where you have an open forum to explore your own writing and the writing of your peers." Within the class, students of all ages share their work with one another, hone their craft, and explore publication of their own writing.
It was clear to anyone at the class's performance Thursday that the students were very close, and any inhibitions or shyness they once possessed about their writing had vanished. They listened to one another attentively and exchanged their own self-published chapbooks after. "There was a time when I wrote for fun, and now because of this class I actually go to school for fun," Student Mychal Thompson says. If you have a talent or interest in writing fiction or poetry and exploring publication, enrolling in Taft College's creative writing class is an excellent option. It certainly has paid off for these students, if Thursday's event was any indicator.
Students at Taft College are currently working to establish an annual literary magazine. The magazine, which will function as a student club, will be an opportunity for student editors to learn about the other side of publication and for local authors to submit their writing. Of the literary magazine, student Jessica Miller says, "Taft seriously lacks the means for artists to channel their creativity, and a literary journal, even if it was for students only, would be a great avenue for them."
But the change in Taft isn't just about writers. Visual artists, thespians, and musicians roam the streets of Taft as well, and Dr David Layne, Professor of Business and member of Friends of Taft College Library, is determined to give these artistic voices a forum. Layne is working to facilitate a performing arts event in Taft in April of 2010 that would showcase drama, interpretive readings, visual art, and local music. If you are an artist, actor, musician or writer, contact Dr Layne at HYPERLINK mailto:dlayne@taft.org dlayne@taft.org to enquire about joining the program for the event.
