Programs

The Clifton House provides in-person, hybrid in-person and virtual, and solely virtual programs for our creative community. We are committed to quality workshops, creative development, networking opportunities, live events, and education in the craft and business of writing and art. The Clifton House supplies the tools, equipment, and qualified instructors to develop skilled writers, poets, artists, and creatives.

The Clifton House will utilize virtual meeting technology to connect local storytellers and artists with writers, artists, and lecturers across the globe. In-house classes will provide industry standard technology (such as iPads, MacBooks, PC laptops, Cintiqs, etc.) for student use in writing and art classes.

(Image Description: Workshop participants gather in the living room of The Clifton House as they listen to a speaker at a podium in front of them. A large patterned rug covers the wooden floors. In front of the large single-pane windows sits a small wooden table with books laid out on it. The participants sit in rows of cushioned, wooden folding chairs.)

Poetry

Workshops for poets of all levels, facilitated by poets and partners worldwide. Workshops will vary in scope and duration, but will always be deeply resonant.

(Image Description: A photograph of several workshop members sitting outside on the front porch of The Clifton House, taken from the perspective of the front door. Beyond the white wooden railing of the porch, the various leafy trees of the yard are in full view. The participants are dressed casually, seated in cushioned, wooden folding chairs. Each person has a notebook in their lap and is either reading intently or speaking to other group members.)

Memoir: Writing Your Story

Workshops for enthusiastic memoirists; all are welcome. Clifton’s Memoir “Generations” will be one of the sources used to explore the many ways our life stories can be nuanced when “even the lies are true.”

(Image Description: Workshop members gather in the instruction room of the Clifton House. The workshop leader stands speaking in front of the seated participants. Behind the instructor is a large-screen TV and built-in shelves containing various published works by Lucille Clifton. The instruction room has original wooden floors and white painted paneled walls. The participants are seated in cushioned wooden folding chairs at drafting desks and listening intently.)

Fiction (Speculative, Narrative)

Workshops for fiction writers; all are welcome. Clifton’s teaching career included stints as a professor of science fiction writin. Our workshops will be led by authors from multiple genres of narrative writing.

Drawing & Painting

All levels of experience; materials will be provided for in-house classes and workshops.
Fred Clifton was both an activist and visual artist (painting and sculpture). Our classes will explore both the craft of visual arts and the idea of art as activism.

(Image Description: Three women stand at the forefront of the front porch of The Clifton House. Behind the women, the blue wooden front door, gray painted exterior, and a single porch column are visible. The women are gazing into the camera and. smiling; they have their arms around each other posing.)

Higher Education Informational Events

The Clifton House will host Meet & Greet/”Ask Me Anything” events.
Lucille Clifton said, “We cannot create what we cannot imagine.” The Clifton House will hold informal meetings with local educators, alumni, and college career services representatives to provide opportunities to explore the educational possibilities in attendees' lives.

Programs

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