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LITERARY ARTS

Writing classes at the Turner Center for the Arts are for youth and adult students looking to begin or advance their skills and make writing an active part of their lives. Through these classes, students explore a variety of paths to written expression and authorship. Our youth and adult groups are both led by Dr. Cheryl Carvajal, an accomplished and published author and literary educator, and meet both online and face-to-face. The annual Art of Writing Contest provides youth with the ability to use their skills to write on a specific topic, with the opportunity to present their works and to be published. The Turner Center is building a supportive community of writers that allows students from various backgrounds and interests to participate in enriching experiences!
COURAGE

5th Annual Art of Writing Contest

Entry Deadline Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11:59PM
Awards Reception Monday, March 17, 2025, 6-8PM
The writers are invited to present their work orally. A practice session on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 4-6pm, will be held with Dr. Carvajal present to offer guidance.

We invite you to write about what courage means to you. This is an open topic. Writing ideas include times that courage is needed to grow, change, or create. What does it mean to be courageous? Who in history has shown courage, and what sparked their actions? Where do we need more courage in today's world, or looking towards the future? In what ways do you wish you—or the world—had more courage? Additional writing prompts and resources will be provided to the Young Online Writer’s League through the Discord app.

The contest is hosted annually and is sponsored in part by Greater Valdosta United Way, the Georgia Council for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Snake Nation Press, and the Valdosta Daily Times.

Must be ages 10-18 AND 5th-12th grade
COST: FREE
All supplies provided.

Young Online Writers League (YOWL)

December meeting dates: December 7 & 14 | 10:30am-Noon
January meeting dates: January 4 & 11 | 10:30am-Noon
Please check your DISCORD account for updates on meeting dates and locations

Are you a youth who longs to write? Do you have a story to tell? Join us for the Young Online Writers League! Students write poetry and prose, growing comfortable as they learn how to discuss one another's work, hone skills with varied exercises, and gain insight into their writing abilities as each one finds their unique writing voice. Regular writing prompts and thought provokers are shared online using Discord. Regular meetings are offered in both online and face-to-face formats.

Online Writers League (OWL)

Group meets online or in-person on Saturday afternoons | 1pm-4pm
Please check your DISCORD account for updates on meeting dates and locations

Welcome to the Online Writers League! This is an adult group of writers at all levels of experience who will meet up with like-minded writers and authors for writing sessions. These sessions will include critiques, writing strategies, and activities. This class is offered online using Discord, with regular meetings in both online and face-to-face formats.

PLEASE NOTE: All Turner Center classes and workshops must meet required minimum class size, or they will be cancelled. All registered class attendees will be notified and refunded (if attending a paid class or workshop) in the event of a cancellation by the Turner Center.