Events

Events in April 2023

  • - “Rewriting the Narrative: Fighting Erasure and Forging a Future”
    “Rewriting the Narrative: Fighting Erasure and Forging a Future”

    “Rewriting the Narrative: Fighting Erasure and Forging a Future”


    April 2, 2023

    Sunday, April 2, 2023

    1:30-3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)

    Inlandia Institute and UCR Arts Present

    Conversations at the Culver

    “Rewriting the Narrative: Fighting Erasure and Forging a Future – A poets laureate discussion moderated by James Coats”

    Panel: Antonio Edwards Jr., Natalie J. Graham, and Peter J. Harris

    Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts

    3834 Main Street, Riverside

    Free and open to the public.

     

    On Sunday, April 2, join James Coats for a conversation with current and past Poets Laureate as part of Inlandia’s Conversations at the Culver series, in association with Inlandia’s Blacklandia steering committee.

     

    During this critical time of book bannings happening across the country and a push to blanch history we talk to three poet laureates rewriting the expected narrative by providing representation and truth-telling in their art and through their work. Poetry has long been a source of honest expression with people courageous enough to say the hard things. This panel looks to examine the difficulties of how we arrived where we are today and ways to reshape the future through education and understanding.

     

    Books will be available for sale and signing. Light refreshments will be served. As part of the City of Riverside’s First Sundays program, entrance to the museum is free.

     

    Motivational Speaker, Writer and Spoken Word Poet, Antonio Edwards Jr. provides audiences with powerful spoken word presentations customized to inspire and energize any event. When he is not performing Antonio is busy developing teaching methods to help young poets find their literary voice and use language poetry provides to develop their own form of self-expression and self–actualization. An explosive performer of the written word, Antonio's spoken word pieces are charged with rhyme, rhythm, wordplay and verbal assaults that will not just sit on paper. Known as the people’s poet, Antonio was named Tacoma Washington’s Poet Laureate in 2009.

     

    Natalie J. Graham is an award-winning author and performer who has toured nationally with her collection of poems, Begin with a Failed Body. In August 2021, Natalie was appointed Poet Laureate of Orange County. A widely published scholar with research interests in race, identity performance, and music, she is also a professor in the Department of African American Studies at Cal State University. When she isn’t making poems, teaching, or planning events, she loves perfecting her chocolate chip cookie baking skills and learning about science with her son, Ronald.

     

    Peter J. Harris, Altadena Poet Laureate Editor in Chief (2022-2024), is the author of Safe Arms: 20 Love & Erotic Poems (w/an Ooh Baby Baby moan), with Spanish translations by Francisco Letelier (FlowerSong Press), and SongAgain (Beyond Baroque Books). In 2015, his book of poetry, Bless the Ashes (Tia Chucha Press), won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award, and his book of personal essays, The Black Man of Happiness: In Pursuit of My ‘Unalienable Right,’ won the American Book Award. Harris is founding director of The Black Man of Happiness Project, a creative, intellectual, and artistic exploration of Black men and joy. He writes the blog WREAKING HAPPINESS: A Joyful Living Journal: www.inspirationcrib.com.

     

    Moderator James Coats is a multidisciplinary artist, author, and educator born in Los Angeles and raised in the Inland Empire. As a creative change agent he believes the arts can inspire the youth and influence positive change in the world. He is the winner of the 2021 San Gabriel Poetry Slam. In 2021 he founded the organization Lift Our Voices Education which hosts an award winning workshop monthly called Be The Change: Social Justice Writing Workshop. He became the Artist in Residence at The Garcia Center for the Arts in 2022. His newest poetry collection Midnight & Mad Dreams is published by World Stage Press. You can find him attending poetry readings throughout California or follow his poetry via his Instagram @MrLovingWords.

  • - Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY
    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY

    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY


    April 7, 2023

    Inlandia Institute is excited to announce a new comic book workshop for teens! Join cartoonist and illustrator NARCOMEY for a class that will inspire your creativity and clarify your focus. Sessions will be held on Zoom over six consecutive Fridays – March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, and May 5, 2023 – from 3:30-5:00 PM PT.

    During this 6-week workshop, NARCOMEY will walk you through the basics of comic book storytelling. This will be accomplished by working on a simple, 4-page comic book story. Focusing on one page per week – along with a Q&A – NARCOMEY wants participants to leave with four complete pages of comic book layouts/roughs. This workshop is about storytelling, not pretty pictures, so don’t worry if you can’t draw a stick figure. The basics are what every craftsperson falls back on, and NARCOMEY hopes this basic storytelling workshop will give you a strong foundation to build your craft on.

    The workshop is free and open to teens ages 13-18, but registration is required. To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ComicBookTeens.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories, Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY

    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY


    April 14, 2023

    Inlandia Institute is excited to announce a new comic book workshop for teens! Join cartoonist and illustrator NARCOMEY for a class that will inspire your creativity and clarify your focus. Sessions will be held on Zoom over six consecutive Fridays – March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, and May 5, 2023 – from 3:30-5:00 PM PT.

    During this 6-week workshop, NARCOMEY will walk you through the basics of comic book storytelling. This will be accomplished by working on a simple, 4-page comic book story. Focusing on one page per week – along with a Q&A – NARCOMEY wants participants to leave with four complete pages of comic book layouts/roughs. This workshop is about storytelling, not pretty pictures, so don’t worry if you can’t draw a stick figure. The basics are what every craftsperson falls back on, and NARCOMEY hopes this basic storytelling workshop will give you a strong foundation to build your craft on.

    The workshop is free and open to teens ages 13-18, but registration is required. To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ComicBookTeens.

  • - inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories
    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories


    April 8, 2023 April 15, 2023

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

    inVISIBLE/unHEARD: Riverside's Civil Rights Stories

    Dramatic, self-guided tour: Jeffery Owens Memorial Marker, Allen Chapel, Chinatown, and Sherman Indian High School

     

    Presented by The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Empower You Edutainment, Fox Foundation, Inlandia Institute, the Museum of Riverside, and Sherman Indian High School.

    Register free online:

    https://tinyurl.com/inVISIBLE-unHEARD

     

    The invisible/unHEARD theme stems from the truth that aggressions—both macro and micro—of racism and discrimination erect barriers to the fulfillment of potential for many people. The impact of those aggressions often manifests as an overwhelming sense of invisibility for those who are the recipients.

     

    Keep the conversation alive!

     

    The inVISIBLE/unHEARD project focuses on the journey from invisibility to visibility for those who have suffered racism and other forms of discrimination. inVISIBLE/unHEARD takes you on a tour of a portion of Riverside’s role in this global conversation through 4 stops and a discussion session. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.

  • - Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY
    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY

    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY


    April 21, 2023

    Inlandia Institute is excited to announce a new comic book workshop for teens! Join cartoonist and illustrator NARCOMEY for a class that will inspire your creativity and clarify your focus. Sessions will be held on Zoom over six consecutive Fridays – March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, and May 5, 2023 – from 3:30-5:00 PM PT.

    During this 6-week workshop, NARCOMEY will walk you through the basics of comic book storytelling. This will be accomplished by working on a simple, 4-page comic book story. Focusing on one page per week – along with a Q&A – NARCOMEY wants participants to leave with four complete pages of comic book layouts/roughs. This workshop is about storytelling, not pretty pictures, so don’t worry if you can’t draw a stick figure. The basics are what every craftsperson falls back on, and NARCOMEY hopes this basic storytelling workshop will give you a strong foundation to build your craft on.

    The workshop is free and open to teens ages 13-18, but registration is required. To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ComicBookTeens.

  • - Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY
    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY

    Comic Book Storytelling for Teens with NARCOMEY


    April 28, 2023

    Inlandia Institute is excited to announce a new comic book workshop for teens! Join cartoonist and illustrator NARCOMEY for a class that will inspire your creativity and clarify your focus. Sessions will be held on Zoom over six consecutive Fridays – March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21, April 28, and May 5, 2023 – from 3:30-5:00 PM PT.

    During this 6-week workshop, NARCOMEY will walk you through the basics of comic book storytelling. This will be accomplished by working on a simple, 4-page comic book story. Focusing on one page per week – along with a Q&A – NARCOMEY wants participants to leave with four complete pages of comic book layouts/roughs. This workshop is about storytelling, not pretty pictures, so don’t worry if you can’t draw a stick figure. The basics are what every craftsperson falls back on, and NARCOMEY hopes this basic storytelling workshop will give you a strong foundation to build your craft on.

    The workshop is free and open to teens ages 13-18, but registration is required. To register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ComicBookTeens.

  • - Inlandia Institute at the 10th Anniversary Riverside Tamale Festival
    Inlandia Institute at the 10th Anniversary Riverside Tamale Festival

    Inlandia Institute at the 10th Anniversary Riverside Tamale Festival


    April 29, 2023

    Saturday, April 29, 2023

    Inlandia Institute at the 10th Anniversary Riverside Tamale Festival

    Featuring Vilayvanh Bender, José Chavez, James Luna, and Julianna Cruz

     

    Presented by Spanish Town Heritage Foundation

    White Park

    3936 Chestnut St, Riverside, CA

     

    Visit the Tamale Festival and stop by the Inlandia Storytelling Booth to hear vibrant multicultural stories by authors from the region. Stories presented on the hour at 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM.

  • - Call for Entries: 2023 Hillary Gravendyk Poetry Prizes, Call for Submissions Inlandia Hearts Librarians OPENS
    Call for Entries: 2023 Hillary Gravendyk Poetry Prizes

    Call for Entries: 2023 Hillary Gravendyk Poetry Prizes

    LAST DAY
    April 30, 2023

    Call for Entries: 2023

    Hillary Gravendyk Poetry Prizes

    Submissions from February 1-April 30, 2023

    National and Regional awardees each win book publication and a cash prize of $1,000. Enter using Submittable: https://tinyurl.com/InlandiaSubmit

    Inlandia Institute is excited to announce the opening of the submission window for the 2023 Hillary Gravendyk Prize poetry competition. Poetry book manuscripts will be accepted via Submittable from February 1 through April 30, 2023. One National and one Regional prizewinner will each be awarded $1,000 and a standard book contract.

    The competition was created in memory of the late Inland Empire poet, Hillary Gravendyk, who passed away in 2014.

    The Hillary Gravendyk Prize is an open poetry book competition for all writers regardless of the number of previously published poetry collections. The manuscript page limit is 48-100 pages, and Inlandia Institute Press invites all styles and forms of poetry. Only electronic submissions will be accepted via Inlandia’s ‘Submittable’ portal. Multiple submissions are accepted, with a $20 reading fee required for each manuscript. The winners will be announced Fall 2023 for publication in 2024.

    All entrants will be considered for the National Prize, and entrants who currently reside or work in Inland Southern California, the “Inland Empire,” will also be considered for the Regional Prize (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and any non-coastal Southern California area, from Death Valley in the northernmost region to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in the southernmost).

    Hillary Gravendyk (1979-2014) was a beloved poet living and teaching in Southern California’s Inland Empire region. She wrote the acclaimed poetry book, HARM from Omnidawn Publishing (2012) and the poetry collection The Naturalist (Anchiote Press, 2008). A native of Washington State, she was an admired Assistant Professor of English at Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Her poetry has appeared widely in journals. She was awarded a 2015 Pushcart Prize for her poem “Your Ghost,” which appeared in the Pushcart Prize Anthology. Hillary Gravendyk passed away on May 10, 2014 after a long illness. This contest has been established in her memory.

    For additional details about the Hillary Gravendyk Prize, or to learn more about Inlandia Institute, please visit inlandiainstitute.org.

    This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

     

    Call for Submissions Inlandia Hearts Librarians OPENS

    Call for Submissions Inlandia Hearts Librarians OPENS

    April 30, 2023

    April 30-June 30, 2023

    Call for Submissions: Inlandia Hearts Librarians

    Special Library Issue

    Call for Submissions for Inlandia: A Literary Journey

    Submit to: https://tinyurl.com/InlandiaLibrarians

    Now accepting art, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from librarians past and present on any topic and only about librarians/libraries from nonlibrarians for this themed issue.

    Submissions open Saturday, April 30, 2023, and close Friday, June 30, 2023, at midnight Pacific Time.

    Simultaneous submissions accepted. Previously curated submissions accepted. Translations accepted. See website for full guidelines.