Writer Night

Book Project Celebration on April 27

University of Indianapolis professor Kevin McKelvey’s desktop publishing class will host a book release party and reading for the seventh grade class from IPS School #2, Center for Inquiry. Ms. Gaffney’s seventh graders will read from their newly published books designed by McKelvey’s class. This will take place on Tuesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. in UIndy Hall B and C in the Schwitzer Student Center.

First semester, the IPS #2 seventh graders have written poems and stories with Jim Walker, managing director of Second Story, a local nonprofit that leads creative writing classes with students in Indianapolis to improve attitudes about writing, and with Butler University students that enrolled in Walker’s class on teaching writing in the community.

After some revision and classroom edits led by their teacher, Ms. Gaffney, this semester, UIndy students in Prof. McKelvey’s English class worked as editor, designer, and publisher for the seventh graders. In this service-learning project, the English students chose work, helped the seventh graders edit and revise, and then designed flip books with two front covers to include two students in the same book.

McKelvey’s students, the seventh graders from IPS #2, and Second Story hope you can make it on April 27 at 7 p.m. to experience why creative writing and publishing can make a difference.

The Facebook event page for the upcoming release reading is located here.

Poetry in Paint at Garfield Park

Saturday March 13, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Garfield Park Arts Center
2432 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

Visual art and poetry come together on Saturday March 13, 2010 for an inspired evening of artistic collaboration at the Garfield Park Arts Center.  Meet the artists, hear live poetry readings, and enjoy refreshments.  See how art can inspire art as you read poetry and see paintings with shared themes in this exhibit coordinated by Indianapolis-based author and artist, Lylanne Musselman. For Second Story’s part of the show, we worked with 23 sixth graders from the SENSE school in Fountain Square who have written poems inspired by the collages of Max Ernst.

The free opening reception on March 13th from 5-8 p.m. will feature poets performing live readings of the works featured in the Main Gallery exhibit as well as interactive writing and art activities. Stay after the reception for Vintage Movie Night featuring the film Laddie (1940) from 8-9:30 p.m.  The film is based on the book by Indiana author/poet Gene Stratton-Porter. 

The Poetry in Paint Exhibit will be on display from 2 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays beginning March 13 through May 2. There is no cost for admission to the Garfield Park Arts Center, Poetry in Paint Exhibit and opening reception. 

WHAT: Poetry in Paint Opening Reception, Exhibit, Vintage Movie Night: Laddie (1940)
COST:       Exhibit and Opening Reception are Free, $2 for Vintage Movie Night
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 13, 2010
WHERE: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive

Second Story at Pecha Kucha

Board members and founders Ken Honeywell and Matt Mays recently made a great presentation about Second Story at a Pecha Kucha Indy event at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The crowd loved it. Here’s the video:

Please support Second Story

Happy Holidays!
Second Story has enjoyed a great 2009. We appreciate your support in helping us continue to succeed. This year, with many excellent volunteers joining our team, we’ve helped lots of kids in Indianapolis find joy in writing and improve their literacy skills.

Here’s how:

- with summer programs on East 10th Street (in partnership with Y-Press) on the Near Eastside and in Garfield Park (in partnership with Indy Parks);

- with in-school programs at IPS School 15 (4th graders) and IPS School 2 (7th graders in partnership with Butler University and Central Library);

- with after-school programs at the Wheeler Arts Community in Fountain Square, Kaleidoscope Youth Center and MLK Center.

Now, we’re looking forward to 2010 with plans to continue our after-school and in-school efforts while also working with high school kids for the first time as we team up with University of Indianapolis to help students at Manual High School bring back their yearbook and newspaper publications.

In late 2008 and in 2009, we received some great support from the Indianapolis Foundation, State Farm and from individuals like you. But times are tight and foundation and corporate support has been very slim - especially for a newer organization like ours.

So we need your help. The more we are able to raise, the more we can expand our programs to reach more children in 2010. It’s easy to donate through our Donate/PayPal button above or by sending us a check to 1014 Prospect St. Indianapolis, IN 46203.

Thanks for your help!