South Central Paartners

Huge thanks to Anthony Orozco, Maya Serres, Daniel Egusquiza, all the folks at Barrio Alegria, the businesses in downtown Reading who've helped us launch the Pen St.: A City of Poems, Chuck Broad at the Reading Downtown Improvement District, the incredible poets who contributed to our anthology, and to the Berks County Community Foundation for funding us. It seemed possible that Covid would derail us, but Anthony Orozco was having none of that. I'm awed by this community, and looking forward to future collaborations.

I've been on leave from my job and have not been updating this page. Apologies for a late response to say that our mission is to contribute in every way we can to equality and social justice through the arts. We are indebted to the artists of color and the community leaders we work with who strive to make this part of PA stronger, wiser, more compassionate and more just. We recognize your pain at this moment as pain that has gathered over generations, we see your brilliance, and we're here for you in whatever ways we can offer.

Artists, musicians, performers, freelancers--some helpful info from the ever wonderful Izzy Ismail Smith-Wade-El

We're still on the virtual street!

After hours of reading, editing and curating poems, I am humbled. This collection of nearly 100 original works from poets across the city and surrounding area i...s a bold testament to the power of our art form . I have read your poems many times over and I am honored to present such a beautifully complex and nuanced collection of work. Professionally and artistically, I have always known the immense importance of giving the people a voice. As I curated these poems, I came to a deeper understanding that of course you have always had a voice. What this anthology does is create space for you to be better heard. I am so proud to provide this megaphone for you all, amplifying and recording your words for the world to hear. Many of these poems pull no punches, many of them raw and visceral and at no cost to artistry. As we all sit in our houses, peeking out the window in this time of uncertainty, I am ecstatic to present such a uncompromising and roaring proclamation of Reading’s spirit. Though our workshop plans have been altered due to the current pandemic, we are committed to bring poetry to the masses. Please follow Pen Street: City of Poems to watch poetry performances, to stay updated on workshops projects and to connect with fellow practitioners of this delicate and mighty art form. When we are all allowed back outside, I cannot wait to inundate downtown Reading with visual artistic interpretations of these poems. Juan Carlos Ruiz Jr, Tracy Soto, Theron Cook and Jean Esther are finishing up some amazing paintings and illustrations at this very moment. Until then, we are flooding the digital streets with this marvelous landmark collection. I thank Maya Serres, Marci Nelligan , Berks County Community Foundation, Barrio Alegría, Millersville University and all of the poets who participated and continue to participate in this project. https://www.barrioalegria.com/pen-street

We can't take our poems to the streets, but we're making a new virtual Penn Street right here. Gather and listen, y'all!

Artists, if you need some extra $, Millersville is hiring flexible offline teachers. Go!

A way to be together in these isolating times, and no one is a better host than Loryn Spangler-Jones Artist.

One way to help, if you're able...

Artists, this is a crushing time. I am here if you need anything. I also thought this list of emergency funds for artists might be useful. https://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org//emergency-g... https://www.womenarts.org/funding-resources/emergencyfunds/ https://pen.org/emergency-funds-for-writers/ http://joanmitchellfoundation.org/artist-progra//emergency http://www.thehavenfdn.org/ https://www.stevegiovinco.com/complete-list-of-emergency-f/ https://www.backher.com/tool/emergency-need-based-resources http://www.goldenfoundation.org/resources/artist-resources/ https://www.insightpersonalfinance.com//grants-for-artists http://writersweekly.com//help-emergency-grants-for-writer http://www.artheals.org/artist-support/art_grants.html

Look what the ever-amazing Anthony Orozco is up to.