Classes
We invite you to explore your creativity! Take time to pay attention to your muse, notice the beauty of the landscape and spend a few hours with a community of poets for support of your craft. Add another layer of creativity and play to establish or create your writing habit. You do not have to consider yourself a writer or artist to take these classes, or attend a reading or retreat, although if you are, you will find solace with other artists and rejuvenate your creative process.
Jules Nyquist, founder, along with her spouse John Roche lead small groups in unique settings with plenty of individual attention. We supply all handouts or downloads, along with recommended (but always optional) reading lists. Snacks and breaks are worked in, with time to walk the labyrinth, explore the enchanted forest or browse our extensive collection of poetry books for sale. We usually offer one pay-as-you-are-able scholarship option per class to help writers attend regardless of income.
Labyrinth broadside from the 2023 Poet’s Picnic booklet, Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center, May 20, 2023. A celebration of Nature, Calligraphy, Music & Poetry.
What Students Are Saying
Poetry Playhouse
Black arrow points to the left
Footprints uncertain
— Hollie, 2020
“The outcome from the Writing for a Purpose class with Jules Nyquist went beyond my expectations. I already knew the path I wanted to take but I wasn’t progressing toward my objective. This class helped me question why I was unable to meet my goal… I am back on track with my writing and my well being. If you are questioning your decisions or are undecided on a specific course, this class will help you understand if the obstacles are fantasy or genuine. Do I want to or do I have to? A highly motivating class.”
— KP
“I went in to this class not knowing what to expect. I came out of this class with a deeper understanding of myself and what being an activist means to me.”
— WF
Jules’ Poetry Playhouse
Poem by Megan Baldrige
At Jules' Poetry Playhouse
Jules and Poe are playing Pied Piper
to plucky and pusillanimous poets
who are playing
around with words.
Here at the Playhouse,
poets make a play for the right word.
Sometimes the words
play hard to get,
but they stay in play,
playing the parts of ingenues
and veterans in playful poetry.
Playing hooky from ordinary use,
playing off each other.
Words are kept in play,
playing together,
they play nice, not nice
for momentary pleasure,
or they play for keeps
and we play along.
At play in the fields of this Playhouse,
don't you roll over and play dead
we're playing with poetry
we're not playing at poetry.
We're playing for all it's worth
playing the words up
playing around with them
playing down the humdrum,
bringing all of our voices into play,
and we're in La Burque
so we don't need to worry
if it will play in Peoria.
Megan Baldrige is the author of several books of poetry published by Jules' Poetry Playhouse Publications.