Posted on 10-12-2007
Who are we? The Ozark Poets & Writers Collective is a non-profit organization devoted to the joys of the spoken and written word. We are based in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Mission Statement
* To support and promote community involvement in Ozark literary arts.
* To encourage an appreciation of local writers by providing access to their work through readings, publications, workshops, and other events and activities as demand and need become evident.
* To ensure that the experience of writing and reading remain a vital part of life in the Ozarks.
Writers Roster & Outreach
OPWC provides poets for various activities in our community. We have gone into the schools from the elementary to high-school level giving readings and leading mini-workshops. Our poets have provided entertainment at various functions and benefits in the Northwest Arkansas area. News about OPWC often is published in the Northwest Arkansas Times and Fayetteville Free Weekly.
OPWC, the Main Event
On the last Monday evening of each month, OPWC presents a featured reader and open mike. Monday is our new regular night; schedule changes will be posted here. Our guest poets comprise local, regional and national artists, from Miller Williams and Mohja Kahf to Dannye Romine Powell and Naomi Shihab Nye. Admission is free—not that we mind modest donations. We meet at George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville. George’s is now serving food on OPWC Night!
Coming up: 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29, Lady Krysis (audio on link) of Little Rock’s Poets in the Streets.
See Events for general information and heads’-ups on upcoming shows. And, check out the Collective’s poetry column in the Northwest Arkansas Times, profiling September’s feature, Van Brock.
George’s is a bar. No one under 18 admitted. George’s is serving dinner for the OPWC—which includes you—via its new weekday lunch service, Yazetti’s Italian cuisine. Ours is a limited supper menu of complete, filling meals, and it’s very affordable. Thus, the old custom of bring in take-out does not apply on the Poets’ Night.
Monday’s featured performance, which usually starts around 7:30 p.m., is preceded at 7:00 by an open mic session and followed by one as well. Each open mic performer gets up to four minutes to read original works or verse written by others. Our audiences famously encourage open mic readers. The main feature as well as the open mikers perform censorship free; strong language is sometimes used.
After the guest reader, a hat is passed to provide the guest a small stipend and to help fund future readings. The collective has been honored with donation of a new book of poetry every month from the University of Arkansas Press—and the raffle is free! Often, featured readers offer their own books and chapbooks (and sometimes CDs and DVDs) for sale, autographed.
Contact the OPWC
E-mail Collectivists ( and ) about events, questions etc.
E-mail Webmaster () about the Web site.
Be traditional! Write us at
OPWC
P.O. Box 3717
Fayetteville, AR 72702-3717
