^{Artwork by Margaret Thompson}

​This Olio aims to explore how writers and artists of the African Diaspora have tapped into the universal human experience of nostalgia while also exploring themes of cultural identity, belonging, and personal narratives. By analyzing a personal essay and a painting, we will develop a deeper understanding of the techniques used to convey nostalgic themes and gain an appreciation for the power of art and literature to capture the complexities of memory, emotion, and cultural heritage.

_{Artwork by Alyssa Fanning, courtesy of Good Naked Gallery}

This Olio is full of listening, writing, and conversation guided by the work of Federico García Lorca, Hiroshi Yoshimura, and Natalie Diaz. We'll explore Surrealism, sleep, dreaming, anxiety, and desire.

^{Artwork by Pearl Cowan courtesy of Good Naked Gallery}

Inspired by the work of Audre Lorde and Anne Carson, we will explore the powerful act of pleasure-seeking as a life-giving means of cultivating joy and resilience against the backdrop of today’s complex world. Together, we will discuss a poem about hedonism; listen to a talk on the power of the erotic; and gain new perspectives on our own relationships to each as we write poetry and prose dedicated to pleasure and how it can transform our worlds.