NOTE: Due to the restrictions to keep us safe from the Coronavirus, The Work will continue as a remote workshop via Zoom. Please email Christopher Luna at christopherjluna@gmail.com by midnight the night before each workshop to RSVP if you would like to participate. Also, please share this event with others who might be interested.
The cost for the workshop is a suggested donation of $20 to Christopher Luna’s PayPal account. Suggested means that we would like for you to join us regardless of whether or not you can afford it right now.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON EDITION
Join us on Saturday, July 11 for The Work, a poetry writing workshop led by Christopher Luna. The Work is a drop-in poetry writing workshop for beginners as well as more experienced writers. Poetry encourages empathy and compassion, and sparks the shifts in consciousness which can lead to healing, personal growth, and an interest in fighting for progressive social change. We will read and discuss poetry, write several new poems, and give each writer feedback on at least one of the drafts composed during the workshop.
“Well, while I’m here I’ll do the work — and what’s the work?
To ease the pain of living. Everything else, drunken dumbshow.”
― Allen Ginsberg, “Memory Gardens” (Fall of America, City Lights)
$20 suggested donation; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Bring a poem to share as a way of saying hello.
Shareable snacks are also welcome and very much appreciated.
The Saturday Afternoon Edition of The Work takes place at Niche Wine Bar (1013 Main Street, Vancouver) from 11:30am – 2:00pm on the second Saturday of every month, unless otherwise noted. Upcoming Saturday afternoon workshops will take place on August 8. These workshops will take place on Zoom until it is safe to do so in person.
MONDAY NIGHT EDITION
The Work also takes place on Monday nights. The Monday Night Edition of The Work takes place at Angst Gallery (1015 Main Street, Vancouver) from 6-8:30 pm on the second and fourth Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted. These workshops will take place on Zoom until it is safe to do so in person.
Upcoming Monday night workshops will take place on July 13 & 27 and August 10 & 24.
If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
IMAGE: The Work: Alleviate Suffering by Christopher Luna.
You can see more of Christopher’s collages on his blog.
In June & July 2020, Niche Wine Bar’s Loo-vre presents A Fearful Time, A Hopeful Time: The Collage Art of Christopher Luna. These collages were created since we began staying home to stay safe from COVID-19. Many of them were created while listening to DJ Questlove’s livestreamed DJ sets.
Christopher’s debut full-length book of poetry, Message from the Vessel in a Dream, which also features some of his collage art, is available for sale as well.
Message from the Vessel in a Dream (Flowstone Press, 2018) featuring poetry and collage art by Christopher Luna
Beginning June 9, Niche is open for dine-in as well as take out service. More information is available on our website and our Facebook page.
We are taking reservations Tuesday through Saturday from 4-8PM and will close at 9PM. We will continue taking reservations after the inaugural two weeks and will offer walk-ins after we get up to speed with our new social distancing rules.
Please reach out if you have any questions. Reservations can be made by e-mailing nichewine@gmail.com or calling (360) 980-8352. We are still offering to-go orders for those not comfortable dining in.
Please follow us on Instagram (@nichewinebar) for daily updates and thank you again for your support!
Christopher Luna is a collage artist, poet, editor, and teacher, whose visual art has been featured at Angst Gallery, North Bank Artists Gallery, and Multnomah Arts Center. His collage work can be seen on book covers for several poetry books and anthologies. Luna served as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Clark County from 2013-2017. Luna has an MFA from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, and is the co-founder, with Toni Lumbrazo Luna, of Printed Matter Vancouver, an editing service and small press for Northwest writers. He and Toni co-host the LGBTQ+ friendly, all ages and uncensored Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic in Vancouver, WA, founded by Christopher in 2004. Christopher Luna’s books include Message from the Vessel in a Dream (Flowstone Press, 2018), Brutal Glints of Moonlight, and The Flame Is Ours: The Letters of Stan Brakhage and Michael McClure 1961-1978.
NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control, this month’s reading will take place over Zoom. Email christopherjluna@gmail.com by no later than 3 pm on June 11 to indicate your interest in participating. In the subject line, let us know if you are “Reading” or “Just Listening.” You will receive instructions for how to join the meeting. Open mic readers are invited to share one poem for three minutes or less.
If you are willing to donate to support the series, please use Christopher Luna’s PayPal (christopherjluna@gmail.com) and include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic
Hosted by Christopher Luna, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, & Morgan Paige
Featuring Carey Taylor
7 pm
Thursday, June 11
On Zoom
$5 Suggested donation
No one turned away for lack of funds
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY, PRO-SCIENCE, ANTI-FASCIST,
ALL AGES, AND UNCENSORED SINCE 2004
Please support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson, has provided a home for us since 2015, by ordering food to go: nichewinebar.com
Carey Taylor is the author of The Lure of Impermanence (Cirque Press 2018). Her poetry has appeared in regional, national, and international publications and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Born in Bandon, Oregon she currently lives and writes in Portland. Her website is https://careyleetaylor.com.
Niche Wine Bar’s Gallery The Loo-vre presents Folk Art & Musings, a multimedia exhibit of art and poetry by Toni Lumbrazo Luna. A colorful mix of folk art and lyric poetry, Toni uses found items, paint, and imagination to bring her thoughts to life. Folk Art & Musings will be available to view at Niche Wine Bar or online through May 30.
Stop by Niche Wine Bar for a free copy of one of Toni Lumbrazo Luna’s poems, or to purchase a copy of her book, Driven By Hope. You may enter the bar to see her art work and poetry if you are wearing a mask.
Folk Art & Musings will also be featured in Vancouver Downtown Association’s Virtual First Friday.
Toni’s latest book, Driven By Hope is also available for purchase at Niche. If you stop by Niche, there are also free copies of some of Toni’s poems available in The Loo-vre.
Toni Lumbrazo Luna is a poet, editor, visual artist and the author of three poetry books: Driven By Hope (Printed Matter Vancouver, 2019) Jesus Is A Gas, and Wind Wing. She is the co-founder of Printed Matter Vancouver, a small press which provides editing and writing coaching. Although originally from central New York, she’s made the Pacific Northwest her home for 30 years. She co-hosts the Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic in Vancouver, WA and serves on the Clark County Arts Commission.
Order food and wine by calling or emailing Niche Tuesday through Saturday. Our Shelter in Place Meal Package menu and wine specials change every week. Please follow Niche on Instagram (@nichewinebar) for daily updates and thank you again for your support!
NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control, this month’s reading will take place over Zoom. Email christopherjluna@gmail.com by no later than 3 pm on May 14 to indicate your interest in participating. In the subject line, let us know if you are “Reading” or “Just Listening.” You will receive instructions for how to join the meeting.
Open mic readers are invited to share one poem for three minutes or less.
If you are willing to donate to support the series, please use Christopher Luna’s PayPal (christopherjluna@gmail.com) and include a memo stating that the money is for Ghost Town Poetry.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Hosted by Christopher Luna, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, & Morgan Paige Featuring Linda Strever
7 pm Thursday, May 14 On Zoom
$5 Suggested donation No one turned away for lack of funds
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY, ANTI-FASCIST, ALL AGES, AND UNCENSORED SINCE 2004
Please support Niche Wine Bar, whose owner, Leah Jackson has provided a home for us since 2015, by ordering food to go: nichewinebar.com
Linda Strever is the author of My Life in Cars (poetry), Against My Dreams (poetry) and Don’t Look Away (fiction). Winner of the Lois Cranston Memorial Poetry Prize, her work has been a finalist for the New Issues Poetry Prize, the Levis Poetry Prize, the Ohio State University Press Award in Poetry and the Eludia Award in fiction. A Pushcart Prize nominee, she has an MFA from Brooklyn College. For more info visit: http://www.lindastrever.com/
NOTE: Due to the restrictions to keep us safe from the Coronavirus, The Work will continue as a remote workshop via Zoom. Please email Christopher Luna at christopherjluna@gmail.com by 4 pm on Monday, March 23 if you would like to participate. Also, please share this event with others who might be interested.
The face-to-face version of this workshop takes place at Niche Wine Bar and Angst Gallery, both of which are owned and operated by Leah Jackson. Please support Niche Wine Bar by taking advantage of their take-out services during this difficult time.
“Well, while I’m here I’ll do the work — and what’s the work?
To ease the pain of living. Everything else, drunken dumbshow.”
― Allen Ginsberg, “Memory Gardens” (Fall of America, City Lights)
The Work is a drop-in poetry writing workshop for beginners as well as more experienced writers. Poetry encourages empathy and compassion, and sparks the shifts in consciousness which lead to healing, personal growth, and an interest in fighting for progressive social change.
We will read and discuss poetry, and write several new poems together. Each workshop will feature at least three timed writing exercises.
$20 suggested donation payable to Christopher Luna via PayPal (christopherjluna@gmail.com); however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Bring a poem to share as a way of saying hello.
Shareable snacks are also welcome and very much appreciated.
Upcoming 2020 Saturday afternoon workshops will take place on March 14, April 11, and May 9.
There is also a Monday evening version of the workshop that takes place on the second and fourth Monday of the month. Upcoming 2020 Monday evening workshops will take place on March 9 & 23, April 6 & 20, and May 11.
If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond everyone’s control, this month’s reading will take place over Zoom. Email christopherjluna@gmail.com by no later than 3 pm on April 9 to indicate your interest in participating. In the subject line, let us know if you are “Reading” or “Just Listening.” You will receive instructions for how to join the meeting. Open mic readers are invited to share one poem for three minutes or less.
Our scheduled featured reader, Clark County Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Morgan, works in health care and therefore will be unable to join us. We would like to express our appreciation for Gwendolyn and all of those who are working long hours under dangerous conditions to help us through this crisis.
We would also like to encourage you to support Leah Jackson, who has given us a place to hold the reading since 2015, by ordering food or gift certificates from Niche Wine Bar: https://nichewinebar.com
Gwendolyn Morgan by Kim Salgado
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Hosted by Christopher Luna, Toni Lumbrazo Luna, & Morgan Paige Featuring Clark County Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Morgan
7 pm Thursday, April 9 Open mic sign up begins at 6:30 and closes at 7
$5 Suggested donation No one turned away for lack of funds
Angst Gallery 1015 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98660 angstgallery.com
Food and libation provided by Niche Wine Bar, 1013 Main Street Sound provided by Briz Loan & Guitar: http://briz.us/
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY, ANTI-FASCIST, ALL AGES, AND UNCENSORED SINCE 2004
Gwendolyn Morgan is a Northwest poet and artist. She learned the names of birds and wildflowers and inherited paint brushes and wooden paint boxes from her grandmothers. She earned an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College, and an M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union. She was at Centrum in an Artist Residency Winter 2020. She has been a recipient of artist and writing residencies at Artsmith, Caldera, Centrum, Into the Depths of Winter, and Soapstone. Crow Feathers, Red Ochre, Green Tea, her first book of poems, was a winner of the Wild Earth Poetry Prize, Hiraeth Press. Snowy Owls, Egrets and Unexpected Graces, is a Nautilus Gold Winner in Poetry and a Foreward Indies Book of the Year Finalist in the Nature Category. Before the Sun Rises, her third book of poetry, was released in June 2019 by Homebound Publications. She is currently the Clark County Poet Laureate, Washington 2018-2020. Gwendolyn and her spouse share their home, music and creekside walks with Naomi, a rescued Cardigan Corgi & Chesapeake Retriever mix.
In the morning, before the sun rises, before
repeated rumors of rain, random shootings,
foreclosures, extreme weather, earthquakes,
we recall our dreams while drinking coffee
from the highlands of Guatemala.
The owl flies silently over the Italian Basil,
over the damp earth.
– Gwendolyn Morgan
Maria wrote her memoir in Christopher Luna’s Memoir Writing Class at Clark College. Christopher also later served as an editor on her book.
Here is what Maria had to say about her experience working with Printed Matter Vancouver co-founder Christopher Luna: “I have wanted to write my memoir since 1984 but never felt I had the skills to tackle such an important task. I signed up for Chris’ memoir class and ended up staying for eight semesters. I didn’t know much about writing, but I do know good teaching, and Chris is the best. He was patient, kind, and encouraging to students of all skill levels. I felt safe and valued in his classes. His skillful teaching helped me overcome my fear of what seemed to be a daunting task. I finished my memoir, Beyond the Third Door, in two years time and then hired Printed Matter Vancouver to edit my manuscript. Both Chris and Toni are extremely knowledgeable and proved to be a valuable resource.”
Read more about Maria’s amazing story in the Columbian.
If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher and Toni an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
Follow your bliss this Spring. Take a creative writing workshop with Christopher Luna.
Christopher will lead a series of classes and workshops beginning in March. Most occur year-round. The best way to stay up-to-date on his activities is to sign up for The Work, a monthly newsletter for poets in Portland, Oregon and Southwest Washington: printedmattervancouver@gmail.com
Christopher Luna in Portland by Morgan Paige
Christopher Luna served as the first Poet Laureate of Clark County, WA from 2013-2017. His first full-length collection of poetry, Message from the Vessel in a Dream, was published by Flowstone Press in 2018. Luna has an MFA from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, and is the co-founder, with Toni Lumbrazo Luna, of Printed Matter Vancouver, a small press for Northwest writers which also provides writing coaching, editing, and manuscript review. He has hosted the popular Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic in Vancouver, WA since 2004. Luna’s books include Brutal Glints of Moonlight, GHOST TOWN, USA and The Flame Is Ours: The Letters of Stan Brakhage and Michael McClure 1961-1978.
According to Rae Latham, a writer in Christopher’s Monday morning poetry writing class at Multnomah Arts Center, “Christopher is the poetry alchemist who helps us discover gold.”
Another poet, Lucinda Sisson, recently commented: “Christopher Luna has an extraordinary gift of validating others. In teaching, this is invaluable. In Life, a precious force.”
POETRY WRITING
Poetry Writing at Multnomah Arts Center
7688 SW CAPITOL HWY PORTLAND, OR 97219
Poetry as a means of expression, exploration, and experience is available to everyone. Write poetry in response to prompts and read a variety of published poems that you can use as inspiration. Read and respond to one another’s work in this supportive setting, paying close attention to revision.
ONWARD: 15 years of Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic by Christopher Luna
Poetry Collage Workshop
Poets and artists have always used allusion and reference to create something new. Explore strategies for assembling borrowed words and images into art and poetry. Create visual collages that incorporate text or poems that include visual aids. Bring newspapers, magazines, photos, found text, and natural items to class. These items will be shared or swapped during class. Scissors, glue, and paper to collage on will be provided. All levels.
Saturday, May 2
10 am to 2 pm
Multnomah Arts Center Room 08
Price: $60
Ages: 16 and up
MEMOIR WRITING
Clark College 1933 Fort Vancouver Way Vancouver, WA 98663 Anna Pechanec Hall Room 114
Memoir Writing at Clark College, Tuesdays from 1:00 – 3:20 pm April 21 through June 9: Everyone has a story to tell. Each person’s life is filled with adventure, mystery, trouble, and triumph. Memoir is a powerful way to demonstrate the interconnectedness of all human beings. See yourself as a part of history, documenting the story of your life.
Niche Wine Bar 1013 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98660
Christopher is also facilitating an eight-week workshop/writers group called Writing Your Life Story at Niche Wine Bar on Thursdays from 10:15 am – 1:15 pm.
Document your memories for your family or for possible future publication. Complete short timed writings as well as weekly take-home assignments. Give and receive feedback in a safe, informal environment. Christopher will introduce the techniques of creative nonfiction storytelling which uses one’s life experiences as the foundation for narrative. Participants will be encouraged to share their writing in a safe environment (no one will be required to share their stories) and receive feedback from the facilitator and other writers. We will work to achieve the following goals:
1) learn the key elements of successful storytelling in written form,
2) create a living document for yourself, your family, or others,
3) delve into or build upon your written skills.
Bring your ideas, notes, paper, and pen/pencil (no books required).
Open to all skill levels. The class will be limited to ten (10) participants.
Cost: $225 (cash, check, card)
REGISTER AT NICHE during business hours, on the first day of class, OR email printedmattervancouver@gmail.com to set up a time to register.
Upcoming sessions of Writing Your Life Story will take place on the following dates:
May 7 through June 25 July 9 through August 27 October 1 through November 19
The workshop will not meet during the following months: September and December.
THE WORK
Christopher also facilitates a poetry writing workshop known as The Work, from 11:30-2:00 on the second Saturday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at Niche Wine Bar (1013 Main Street, next door to Angst Gallery and the Kiggins Theatre). Doors open at 11:15 so that you can purchase coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic beverages from Niche and grab a snack. The workshop begins at 11:30.
“Well, while I’m here I’ll do the work — and what’s the work?
To ease the pain of living. Everything else, drunken dumbshow.”
― Allen Ginsberg, “Memory Gardens” (Fall of America, City Lights)
The Work is a drop-in poetry writing workshop for beginners as well as more experienced writers. Poetry encourages empathy and compassion, and sparks the shifts in consciousness which lead to healing, personal growth, and an interest in fighting for progressive social change.
We will read and discuss poetry, and write several new poems together. Each workshop will feature at least three timed writing exercises.
$20 suggested donation; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Bring a poem to share as a way of saying hello.
Shareable snacks are also welcome and very much appreciated.
Upcoming 2020 Saturday afternoon workshops will take place on March 14, April 11, and May 9.
There is also a Monday evening version of the workshop that takes place on the second and fourth Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at Angst Gallery (1015 Main Street).
Upcoming 2020 Monday evening workshops will take place on March 9 & 23, April 6 & 20, and May 11.
If you are looking for writing coaching, editing/manuscript review, or information about poetry and memoir classes, send Christopher an email via printedmattervancouver@gmail.com.
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic Hosted by Christopher Luna and Toni Lumbrazo Luna of Printed Matter Vancouver Featuring Mindy Nettifee
7 pm Thursday, March 12 Open mic sign up begins at 6:30 and closes at 7
$5 Suggested donation No one turned away for lack of funds
Angst Gallery 1015 Main Street Vancouver, WA 98660 angstgallery.com
Food and libation provided by Niche Wine Bar, 1013 Main Street Sound provided by Briz Loan & Guitar: http://briz.us/
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY, ANTI-FASCIST, ALL AGES, AND UNCENSORED SINCE 2004
MINDY NETTIFEE is a poet, storyteller, trauma researcher, and psychonaut. She is the director of the creative and story services agency Free Delivery LLC; teaches writing and performance workshops for Literary Arts; and produces stories for radio and stage with Back Fence PDX and The Moth. She is also an MA and doctoral candidate in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she is currently completing her doctoral research into the role of voice and language in trauma healing. She has published three full-length collections of poetry and a how-to book on writing, Glitter in The Blood (Write Bloody Press), a Powell’s Indie Press Best Seller. She also co-edited Courage, an anthology of poems for teenage girls. Nettifee’s latest collection, Open Your Mouth Like a Bell, was hailed by BUST Magazine as “one of the best poetry books of 2018.” Find out more at thecultofmindy.com.
OH, GINKGO By Mindy Nettifee
A 49-million-year-old fossil was found / with leaves of Gingko biloba pressed into it / like small perfect fans or bells, finely veined / so that they photograph like the undersides of mushrooms, / like the ancestors of lungs and accordions. / Why we aren’t building temples to Gingko trees /in every place, everywhere, I’m not clear on. / The genome of the Ginkgo tree is three times / as complex as the human genome. / I am mostly a stranger to genomes, but no more than / I can be to anything that is at my center. / Ginkgo has defense mechanisms for its defense mechanisms: / while synthesizing chemicals to fight off insects / it is also synthesizing chemicals to attract that insect’s enemies / and also probably adding especially spiritual chapters / to The Art of War. It withstands pollution, disease, salt, drought; / can spontaneously change sex; all while announcing autumn / with this elegant golding, this egg yolk butter sun golding, / so bright and gentle you might think you are hallucinating spring. When the atom bomb detonated, / annihilating and incinerating, charring even the air, / the roots of the Gingkos of Hiroshima remained unscathed. / In only a few days, they sprouted new growth above ground. / Let us pray. Oh, Gingko. Teach us, great tree, / how to be complex enough to be this complex. / How to be vast enough to grow beyond our history / while not denying our history. Teach us how / to survive ourselves.
PRINTED MATTER VANCOUVER 