Masterclass: Eco-Poetry

How can poetry celebrate nature but acknowledge the forces that threaten it? In this two-hour poetry masterclass with writer, performer and educator Zena Edwards, you will contemplate the creative response to the climate crisis and unpack what it really means to ask ‘what can you do?’, individually and collectively. The session will be delivered in three movements, framed as ‘how did we get here?’, ‘bring back wonder’ and ‘nature persists’, each offering the opportunity to explore ways to balance eco-awareness with a confident and self-reflexive approach to writing poetry. You’ll come away with fresh ideas, words on the page and new ways to write about nature while supporting realistic ideas around environmental responsibility.

Participants are encouraged to prepare for the session by taking a walk and focusing on engaging with the world through one sense – sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste. Observe where you *experience* nature. If you live in a built-up area, note where nature has grown through concrete cracks or hangs from walls. If the above poses difficulties for accessibility reasons, observe and connect with a plant or flowers in your home and do a little research into the symbolism of the plant and flower, so as to add a layer of meaning to the moment of connection. Or when cooking, really meditate on the food you are preparing. Observe the colour and scents of the ingredients, notice what happens as you combine and cook them, and on the resulting taste. We want to awaken the primal senses for the purpose of connection.

The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar, so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording for a month afterwards.

Online: £35

Concessions: £17.50

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, a limited number of half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

• All sessions will have auto-generated captioning.
• During sessions we will have a text version available via screen share.
• There is a Chat facility to ask any questions.

Masterclasses and Online Writing Day

• A recording of the Masterclass will be available to view for one month after it is aired live.
• There is a Chat and Q & A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

How I Write

• There is a chat and Q&A facility to ask any questions.
• Zoom webinar format (your video and audio will remain off throughout, & your name will not be visible to other participants so it is a ‘relaxed’ event).

Online Writing Weeks / Weekends

• Courses have much smaller groups than Masterclasses and How I Write events, and are also more interactive with your fellow course participants and tutors, so cameras and audio are usually on (though both are completely optional). If you would prefer your camera and audio to be off, it would be helpful to let your course host know this in advance.

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact us for more details)

• Recording of Writing Weeks and Weekends.
• Downloadable transcripts.
• BSL interpretation.
• Live captioning.

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.