Art from Ashes

Virtual Saturday Writing Prompts
2022-06-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-06-25 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-07-23 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-08-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-08-20 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-09-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-09-17 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) and 1 more date | Zoom!
Creative writing prompts using spoken word and poetry for young people up to age 24
Bring some paper and a pen to our FREE online writing workshop, every other Saturday in 2022!
We’ll spend an hour writing 3-minute poems in a censorship-free, judgment-free zone.
Poetry is a great way to connect, express, and transform, because YOUR VOICE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!
10am Mountain Time (MST) and Central Time (CST)
5pm Britain (GMT)
Gotta send an email to phoenixrising@artfromashes.org or fill out the form below so we know to send you the Zoom link.
Please note: If you share the Zoom link, we still can’t let anyone in unless they email us or fill out the registration form below. By the way, if you complete the intake form, we’ll mail you a sticker and a Poet pin.

Creative Time for Youth
2022-06-15 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-06-22 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-06-29 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-09-07 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-09-14 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-09-21 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-09-28 16:00 - 17:30, 2022-10-05 16:00 - 17:30 and 1 more date | Art from Ashes, 1310 West 10th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80204
EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE age 12 to 24
You don’t have to think you’re a poet or an artist, we already know you’re a creative genius. Come and speak your truth with other youth!
Join Art from Ashes facilitators and other youth from the community for FREE creative time at Art from Ashes.
Stop in any Wednesday at 4 pm to engage in some writing and art prompts, followed by pizza at 5pm! We’re at 1310 West 10th Ave right next to the 10th and Osage light rail station (map below).
All young people between the age of 12 and 24 are welcome. We provide the writing materials, art supplies, food and drinks… You provide the creative genius!
You can email us using the form below if you’d like to let us know you’re coming or want more information…and if you want to be sure you get some food. Or just drop in any Wednesday at 4pm!
Thank you so much to the Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) and Caring for Denver Foundation, and to all our business sponsors and individual donors who make these workshops possible!

First Friday Youth Workshop
2022-07-01 17:00 - 18:00, 2022-08-05 17:00 - 18:00, 2022-09-02 17:00 - 18:00, 2022-10-07 17:00 - 18:00 | Art from Ashes, 1310 West 10th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80204
FOR YOUTH (12 to 24)
YOU ARE A CREATIVE GENIUS! Come write some 3-minutes poems, listen to the powerful spoken word of a local performance artist, and eat some pizza!
Did we mention we pay our youth poets when you perform the poems you write in our workshops? You can share your hopes, dreams, and ideas with us and others every first Friday of every month.
Let your voice be heard!
Contact the Director of Programs with any questions below or just show up here!

Simply Pizza Truck Hosts AfA Fundraiser
2022-07-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-07-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-07-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2022-07-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Run Westy Run Food Truck Park, 3151 W 70th Ave, Westminster, Colorado
Simply Pizza Truck reached out to help us fundraise for our programs and to provide youth with opportunities to perform their poems! We’ll be at the Run Westy Run Food Truck Park every Tuesday in July from 6 to 7 pm.
The park is open to the public from 5-8 pm, and between 6 and 7 we’ll be talking about our work, handing out buttons and stickers and poems, giving word and art prompts, and the Art from Ashes youth poets will be performing!
Hope to see you at the park, and thank you Simply Pizza Truck!

2nd Annual Community Gathering
2022-08-07 16:30 - 18:30 | Nurture, 2949 N. Federal Blvd, Denver, 80211
Hello friends, You are invited to the 2nd Annual Community Gathering, co-hosted by Neena Expressions and Nurture Denver!
The date and time are August 7, 2022 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
Address is 2949 N. Federal Blvd. Masks are optional.
The theme of last year‘s gathering focused on speaking out about mural erasure and displacement of the beloved Escuela community.
This year‘s gathering will continue the conversation about Denver‘s Chicano murals and celebrate the community of Escuela Tlatelolco. It is important for new communities to learn, understand, and become part of Denver’s rich heritage.
Since Denver‘s Chicano murals are now on the nation’s endangered list, it is crucial to share dialogues in safe spaces that foster inclusivity and growth. In addition, we will discuss other community and social justice issues, with the idea of inclusivity in mind.
I Invite you to be part of this expression; whether that’s a testimonial, idea, visual art, music, spoken word, dance, song, poetry, and/or writing. Why? Because art heals and gives people hope.
This is a free event.
*If you would like to support this event and others like it, please pay what you want with your preferred app. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Venmo @Neena-Massey
Zelle @Neena Massey
PayPal neenamassey@yahoo.com
Social Media
Facebook: Neena Expressions
Instagram: @neenaexp
Eventbrite: Neena Expressions
LinkedIn: Neena Massey
Website: www.neenaexpressions.com
Escuela Tlatelolco
The Escuela Tlatelolco Centro de Estudios was founded by Corky Gonzales, initiated by the struggle of the Chicano Movement in the 60’s. His daughter, Nita, continued to inspire direct activism from students, staff and families. The school closed in 2017 after 46 enduring years. The Escuela community was separated and the murals inside and outside the building were erased, due to unfortunate circumstances. Many people felt a sense of sadness and grief because the artwork was symbolic and meaningful to many Denver residents. The school was located on Speer and Federal Blvd., for 26 years.
Nurture Denver
As a “home for the whole human” Nurture invites all walks of life to embark on their own journey to successful self-care with committed members from all areas of the wellcare sector. Nurture is a community-based wellcare marketplace focused on self-care offerings for everyone. With over 60 vetted, independent beauty, wellness, fitness, cafe, and retail businesses, Nurture provides a place for our community members to meet all of their wellcare needs under one roof. Nurture is currently located in the formerly known Escuela Tlatelolco building. It is Nurture’s heart to support the efforts of remembrance and inclusion. To stay in the know with Nurture, you can follow them at @visitnurture.
Rewild Happy Hour bites and drinks will be available at Nurture for purchase.
Neena Expressions
I studied Chicano muralists as my undergraduate thesis at UCD, and then worked at Escuela Tlatelolco for 15 years. After the school closed in 2017, I obtained my MFA-IA in Performance Art Education from Goddard College. I now work in the capacity of healing through artistic expressions, raising awareness and sensitivity to struggles the community faces, from different perspectives and viewpoints.
This project brings attention to communal wounds that need attention and acknowledgement, and is very special to me because of my love for Escuela, and the artistic murals in Denver.
To learn about future healing art events by Neena Expressions, email neenaexpressions@gmail.com to be added to my mailing list.
Thank you Nurture Denver, for hosting this gathering, and to the Spirit of Tlatelolco for bringing us together at our former home base. Viva Corky! Presente!
We’re excited to see you soon!
Best,
Neena and the Incredible Participants for the Community Gathering

Joy Harjo
2022-08-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Iliff School of Theology, 2323 E Iliff Ave, Denver, 80210
The power of poetry and art in social movements with National Poet Laureate
Thursday, August 11th 6:30 p.m. to 8
Iliff School of Theology – 2323 E Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80210
This Inaugural event of the new Institute of Religion, Politics & Culture at Iliff, sponsored by Iliff’s Women’s Alliance, will bring together poetry, art, and inspiring conversation as we explore the ways poetry shapes movements for justice. Director of the Institute, Amanda Henderson will welcome National Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to share her poetry and art work in a public conversation. Young artists, poets, and musicians from the Denver community will share their gifts throughout the evening.
Cost $10
Registration Required
Online or In-Person options available.
https://bit.ly/3y7f7NY
Artists & Partners
Art from Ashes
Youth on Record
All in Spirit
Norma Johnson
American Indian
Academy of Denver

Youth Street Takeover
2022-10-07 15:00 - 18:00 | @ East Colfax Ave and Humboldt Street.
Friday October 7th, 3-6pm
Collaborative pop-up events for youth hosted by Colfax Business Improvement District, Art from Ashes, Youth on Record, Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization, and Make a Chess Move. Art, live music, movement, games, open mic opportunities!

Workshop and Mural @ MCA Denver
2022-10-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Denver Museum of Contemporary Art
Saturday October 8th and Saturday October 15th 11am-1pm each day
Come explore your inner poet and artist! We will host a Phoenix Rising workshop at MCA Denver and then on day 2 will co-create a mural in the teen space of the museum, exploring both written and visual metaphor.
In the Teen IdeaBox (3rd floor) of Denver Museum of Contemporary Art.
