On June 1st, Art from Ashes (AfA) participated in the 35th Poetry Rodeo (aka The Podeo) at Mercury Cafe. The day-long spoken word festival featured a wide range of literary activities spanning three stages, making it the biggest Poetry Rodeo yet! We are so grateful to the Podeo’s organizer and our long-time supporter and guest artist, Gregory SETH Harris, for featuring Art from Ashes and our youth poets at this event. AfA’s Executive Director, Jessica Jarrard, kicked off the Literary Showcase stage events with an introduction of our agency and award-winning program, followed by a performance by youth ambassador and representative to the AfA board of directors, Willow (age 18). After Willow’s performance, audience members had an opportunity to write their own poem in three minutes in response to a guided Art from Ashes prompt. Several members of the community shared their poems on the mic, amplifying their metaphors and courageously sharing their stories. To wrap up our session, youth ambassador Beo (age 17) shared a transformative poem written in three minutes in a Wednesday AfA Creative Time workshop. We’re so grateful to have been part of this unique annual event that brings the vibrant Colorado poetry community together, allowing us to connect with past, present, and future friends. Until next year—yee-haw!
