No Ideas But in Things

Sponsored by
The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
with support from Cambiar Investors, LLC.

Creative Resident Michael J. Henry embarked on a series of writing workshops with youth from Colfax Community Network, PS 1, and North High, to investigate the small beauties and enigmas of everyday found objects—items one might consider junk—to see what stories and poems they might trigger. Says Henry: The poet William Carlos Williams once wrote “No ideas but in things,” and for the longest time I’ve been trying to fully understand what that means, since many of my teachers considered that a cornerstone of a writer’s education.” To wit, Michael and the young writers have written about a host of objects—which include things like a pocket watch, dog leash, a miniature replica of Rodin’s “The Thinker,” and a five-pound dumbbell.

Colfax Community Network
Mandie Birchem, Children’s Program Director
Students:
Hannah, Olivia, Brandon, Jaime, Jerry, Donny, Angel, Olivia, Theresa, Isaac, Alex, Danielle, Austyn, Jonathon, CJ, Eddie, Marquez, Kayshayla
Volunteers:
Katie Meske, Rachel Rand, Miguel Garcia, Debby Cella, Tyrell Banks
PlatteForum Volunteers:
Emily Potts, Ginny Hoyle, Mindy Bray, Hobby Chapin, Mark Kling, Tracy Chapin

PS1
Teachers:
Susan Vaho, Abby Beltz
Students:
Maria Herrera, Rayven Angel, Clarissa Lovato, Frank Velasco, Amber Beruman, Bryan Temchulla, Mia Baily, Shyann Guillar, Justin Blair, John Trujillo

North High School
Teacher:
Jose Mercado
Students:
Karlene Sanchez, Carlos Calderon, Delores Jones, Sherry Boles, Rachael Medina, Christian LuBel, Samantha Rodriguez, Ivonne Paredes, Juan Carlos Olivas, Kandace Sanchez, Erasmo Castellano, Steven Stumpf