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ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

WHY I DO IT... As a social artist I seek innovative solutions to troubling conditions, am a lifelong learner ever hungry for insights, skills, imaginative ideas and a deeper understanding of present-day issues. It has always been my dream to use my love of poetry, as a conduit for individual and community empowerment. I teach my students of all ages to use their words to examine the motivations of the human spirit, to embrace their culture, and to empower not only themselves, but others as well, as they learn the dynamic balance between inner understanding and outward expression.

WHAT TO EXPECT We won't just be studying poetry. That is the style or structure of a poem will not be our main focus, although we will discuss poetic devices and forms. Rather, we will be reacting to HOW IT MAKES US FEEL. While "what the poet might have meant" may come up, I am more interested in what it means to you. We'll talk about it as you might discuss a movie with friends after seeing it. You might say: "I really liked the part when..." or, "That part really bothered me." So we'll get to know each other as we get to know the poem. But we will not, at anytime, be "analyzing" each other. However, you will most likely find new insights about yourself. And there will be lots of group discussion. Most importantly, when we read poetry, we read it not only with our minds, but with our hearts. In that way we will connect to whatever moves us. And when we write our own words - we always keep in mind that we are not here as writers. This isn't about writing something that sounds good, that is finely edited and choreographed, but about writing in the same way we read - from our hearts. It's the language of our souls, from our deepest places.

WHAT STUDENTS WILL GAIN Pain is an emotion; just like love. Sometimes the emotion of pain causes us to forget the emotion of love. You have to get the pain out in order to let the love in. One way of doing that is to “Write It Out.” Writing about living can help you go back and find the lessons that you need in order to move forward. Words have power (especially your own words), the power to heal

Some organizations where I have facilitated workshops are:

PASCEP-Pan-African Studies Community Education Program -Temple University – ongoing
Cheney University – Cheney Pa
Sinclair Community College - Dayton, Ohio
Gaudenzia House – Philadelphia
International Heritage Week @ Community College
REC-THE-MIC, Poetry Workshop for Teens, PEC
Strawberry Mansion MOM Mobil, Mother's Day Celebration N
George Washington High School – Philadelphia
(PEC) The People’s Emergency Center – Philadelphia
AIDS Coalition of Southern New Jersey and Dooley House
“Positive Images Program” Sponsored by Cozen PAL
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape – PCAR – Pittsburgh Pa
Richard Allen Elementary School – Philadelphia
Drueding Center/Project Rainbow @ Holy Redeemer Hospital
Drexel University Center City Campus - Month long Workshop Series
East Stroudsburg University
United States Postal Workers Heritage Program – Philadelphia
Friends Select School Retreat – Burlington NJ

To book Pat for a performance, workshop, or panel disscussion to enhance your next event, please call 215-548-3629, or email