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When Imagination and Metaphor Soar: Poets as Writing Center Directors
We, Julie Moore and Shanna Powlus Wheeler, as published poets and writing center directors, propose a presentation in which we explore how we became âmindful of the relationship between creative work and academic workâ (Bouquet and Eodice 4). Using the relationship between Dayton neighbors Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright brothers as inspiration, we will draw upon Wendell Berryâs argument that science and art are not âinherently at odds with one another . . . [for] âscienceâ means knowing and âartâ means doing . . . Out of school, the two are commonly inter-involved and naturally cooperative [even] in the same personâa farmer, say, or a woodworker, who knows and does both at the same timeâ (124). As poets and administrators, we both know and do, so we will discuss how weâve applied the seven principles in Bouquet and Eodiceâs framework for â[c]reativity and [i]mprovisationâ to devise imaginative approaches to our own writing center work. In particular, weâll explore how we disrupt âhabit patterns,â construct standard practices that allow for âmaximum flexibility,â and foster community and discourse, all while assessing competence and encouraging risk-taking (8). Inspired by Wendy Bishopâs unique tutoring techniques and Severino and Mosherâs â[i]nvitation and dialogue-based,â workshop-like writing center, we will explore how we integrate disparate fields of knowledge to train our tutors and develop our centers in imaginative ways. To prompt discussion among participants, we will share a couple of our poems about this vital work in liberal arts education and solicit other creative ideas.
April is National Poetry Month, so we will also be doing an off-site poetry reading at Books & Co. at The Greene on Thursday (4/4) or Friday (4/5) evening along with Greenville poet Myrna Stone. Shanna\u27s first full-length book of poems, Evensong for Shadows, was published in November by Wipf & Stock Publishers. My fourth collection of poems, Full Worm Moon, was published in July by Cascade Books in its Poiema Poetry Series