"Being Ourselves on the Page" - A poetry workshop with National Book Award winner Mark Doty

As part of Poetry in the Garden's 2025 season, "Declarations 2025 - Resilience & Rage: Voices from Marginalized America," KTM&HC and Ridgefield Poet Laureate Emerita Barb Jennes are proud to host a series of poetry workshops in the month of July. Participants can learn, discuss, and create with some of the country's most prominent poetic voices.

On Monday, July 21, ground-breaking poet Mark Doty's workshop will focus on the challenges and opportunities presented by being ourselves on the page. From Mark: "A deep paradox in American poetry lies in the fact that while LGBTQ+ individuals are generally thought of as outsiders, a glance at a list of major American poets - Whitman, Dickinson, Crane, Bishop, O'Hara, Swenson, Rich, Ashbery, and many more - reveals that we're an extraordinary mainstream. This tension is actually fruitful." Includes discussion and short writing exercises. 

Workshops are open to writers of all experience levels/genres. Registration is limited to 25 participants per workshop, so reserve your spot early!

Tickets go on sale this spring. Special discounted rates are available for high school and college students - inquire at info@keelertavernmuseum.org. 

Image: Star Black