Three creativity-sparking writing courses are the latest additions to the program at Koffler Centre of the Arts this fall. The Centre has called its range of classes for all ages in painting, drawing, ceramics, music and dance—65 in all—“Toronto’s best-kept secret.” But that’s changing, and the expansion of its Literary Program, which includes my eight-week memoir writing course, is part of this wave.
Established in 1977 by philanthropists Murray and Marvelle Koffler, Koffler is a Jewish cultural institution with a mandate to serve the broader community. Koffler’s stated mission is “to bring people together through arts and culture to create a more civil and global society.”
Last year I was honoured to be invited to develop and teach several pilot courses, which I enjoyed doing through fall 2010 and winter 2011: Creative Writing (introductory and intermediate), and Writing the Short Story. Three of my students subsequently were published, one in an anthology and two in an annual literary supplement.
In fall 2011 and spring 2012, I’m pleased to be returning to Koffler to offer memoir writing, one of my favourite genres to teach. I’ll also be available as a Mentor for one-on-one consultations by appointment with those who wish to discuss individual writing/publishing projects. (More on this below.)
Joining the Literary Program faculty in September is Kenneth Sherman, who will teach Poetry Central, and Creative Writing for Beginners. Kenneth has published several books of poetry and two collections of essays. His essay collection What the Furies Bring won the 2010 Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award. He has taught creative writing at York University and University of Toronto.
“Through our emerging literary program, we plan to continue to support excellence in Canadian writing,” says Education Coordinator Alexandra Sipos-Kocsis. “We are excited about the interest in these writing courses and hope to see the program grow.”
Supporting the literary arts has long been a priority for Koffler Centre, which each year presents the two top Jewish literary events in Canada: the Toronto Jewish Book Fair, and the Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Awards. But look for some exciting developments in 2011–2012. On October 23, 2011, Koffler will participate for the first time in the International Festival of Authors at Harbourfront Centre, hosting a day-long festival featuring more than 100 participants from 20 countries. And from June 4 to 7, 2012, Koffer will present the first annual Toronto Jewish Book Festival, an event that combines the Toronto Jewish Book Fair and the Canadian Jewish Book Awards.
In 2011–2012 Koffler Gallery continues to present on-site and off-site literary exhibitions, such as last February’s touring exhibit “Graphic Details: Confessional Comics by Jewish Women,” which showcased graphic autobiographical storytelling.
Koffler Centre is centrally located, on Bathurst Street north of Sheppard Avenue, with plenty of free parking. Classes are currently held in the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre’s Donald Gales Family Pavilion, a bright and spacious building on Sherman Campus, their temporary home for the next four years as construction proceeds on a new 40,000-square-foot Koffler Centre of the Arts.
Here’s more about my course and the Creative Writing Mentor Program:
Your Memories, Your Stories
This course for all writing levels will help participants trigger memories and explore “life writing” in its many forms—memoir, personal essay, experience-based fiction and poetry. Sessions will focus on the elements of good storytelling and feature discussion of published memoirs, stimulating exercises, encouragement and feedback.
Fall 2011
Tuesdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00PM
October 4 – November 22, 2011 (8 weeks)
$260 + HST
Spring 2012
Tuesdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00PM
April 17 – June 19, 2012 (8 weeks)
$260 + HST
Creative Writing Mentor Program
Thursday mornings by appointment, or other times by special arrangement
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Drop by and see what Koffler Centre of the Arts has to offer.
OR check out the course offerings at www.kofflerarts.org/classes.
OR contact:
Alexandra Sipos-Kocsis
Education and Student Services
Koffler Centre of the Arts
4588 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2R 1W6
Tel: 416-638-1881 x 4269
Email: akocsis@kofflerarts.org