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.
LITERARY ARTS
6th Annual Art of Writing Contest
Entry Deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 11:59PM
Awards Reception: Monday, March 16, 2026, 6-8PM
The writers are invited to present their work orally. A practice session on Thursday, March 12, 2026, 4-6pm and Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10-12:30, will be held with Dr. Carvajal present to offer guidance.
We invite you to write about what “allegiance” means to you. This is an open topic; writing ideas include loyalty to people, ideals, or causes. What does it mean to give your allegiance, and what responsibilities come with it? Who or what has earned your allegiance in life, and why? How do alliances shape communities, nations, or friendships? How does allegiance inspire unity or test our convictions? 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
Young Online Writers League (YOWL)
Group meetings are offered bi-monthly online and face-to-face on Saturdays | 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, discuss one another's work, hone skills with varied writing exercises, and gain insight into their writing style and abilities as each student finds their unique voice. Writing prompts and thought provokers are regularly shared online using Discord.
Online Writers League (OWL)
Group meetings are offered online or in-person on Friday & 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 meet up with like-minded writers and authors for writing sessions. In these sessions, writers share critiques, writing strategies, and activities. Writing prompts and thought provokers are regularly shared online using Discord.
