Exprosé is a series of non-profit poetry workshops showcasing one artist's work while providing space for others to create and perform in response.
REGISTER HERE.
THE POETS
JOSHUA “SCRIBE” WATKIS
JANUARY 20, 2024
A lifetime immersed in the performing arts has made Joshua “Scribe” Watkis entirely devoted to the gift of storytelling. Through Spoken Word Poetry and Hip-Hop, he has taken thousands into his world to experience it as he does. The Scarborough born poet has performed on stages across Canada for a decade, appeared on CBC’s Poetic Licence and opened for the legendary Hip-Hop band ‘The Roots’. As a competitor he attended the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in 2014, 2015 and 2017, never missing a finals stage, winning the national championship in 2019. Scribe has authored two chapbooks, Tethered and Black Blossom/Harsh North, and was featured on the first ever Spoken Word Audiobook on Audible: Power In Poetry; Moods That Move.
ANDREA JOSIC
MARCH 16, 2024
Andrea Josic is a queer, Mad, Bosnian-Canadian poet, performer, journalist, and arts educator based in the GTA. She has been competing in international poetry slams for 6 years and is a national award-winning poet and journalist with work published with Whippersnapper Gallery, Meridian Arts Centre, This Magazine, Xtra, Indie88, pulpMAG, and more. They were the champion of the 2020 Toronto Poetry Slam, the co-champion in the 2019 Feminine Empowerment Movement Slam, and a runner-up in the 2021 Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. As an Emerging Artist with VIBE Arts, a Public Art Assistant with STEPS Public Art, and an Arts Instructor in schools and communities across Ontario, Andrea hopes to cultivate joy and healing in their work.
DESIREE MCKENZIE
FEBRUARY 10, 2024
Desiree Mckenzie is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, poet, arts educator, and national poetry slam champion. Her poetry and voice have been featured in works for CBC’s Poetic License series, When Sisters Speak, Clearco Financial, Button Poetry, Kids Help Phone and Home Depot. She facilitates a range of community poetry programming for organizations like VIBE Arts, Unity Charity, Poetry in Voice, and Shakespeare in Action. Her debut spoken word EP, Wet Hair, is now available on streaming platforms. In December 2022, she opened for Rupi Kaur on her world tour stop at Massey Hall.
SHELLY G. CAMPBELL
APRIL 13, 2024
Shelly Grace is a Toronto-based spoken word poet, photographer, and arts educator. She uses her art for community building and healing, focusing on the experiences of women and the Black community. In 2022 she was named Toronto’s Breakthrough Artist by Toronto Arts Foundation.
INFORMATION FOR ATTENDEES
ADMISSION
While attendance is free, all collected donations to the Twas The Bite Before Christmas charity will be submitted at the end of the series. Due to the nature of what is shared within these workshops, the suggested age group is 19+.
REQUIRED MATERIALS & REFRESHMENTS
Bring your favourite notebook & pen, your phone, or just yourself and materials will be provided. Bring a water bottle if you like, although refreshments will be available at Studio.89.
PARKING
Paid parking is available on-site.
CODE OF CONDUCT
In all spaces I host, I ensure the following rules are set:
There will be zero tolerance of harassment or discrimination against others because of their race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability.
We will always allow others space to speak, listen, and be heard.
We understand that the personal stories shared here are not to be shared outside of the room, unless we’ve seeked and received permission to share other’s stories.
Maintain respect and gentleness when giving feedback, ensuring permission is granted before giving feedback that isn’t 100% positive.