Can Portland become a city of literary culture?

Listen to this City Club of Portland Panel Discussion on Portland's literary culture

Attic director David Biespiel joins writers Matthew Stadler, Sallie Tisdale, & David Oates to address the City Club's Friday Forum on the state of Portland's literary past & potential. Listen to the December 15, 2006 podcast. Plus: Read David Santen, Jr.'s review of the event in The Oregonian.

The Attic Experience

"It is too easy for me to isolate myself and my writing because of where I live and not having a support of the writing craft near. The energy and insight of others opened up my thinking to many new and refreshing possibilities. As my first ever event like this, I encourage anyone interested in writing to make it a priority to invest in this experience. The Creative Renewal Weekend delivered exactly what those words mean!"

Debra Holbrook, Creative Renewal Weekend participant

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters Named One of 13 Amazing Writing Centers in the United States

Books for Writers by David Biespiel

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk

THE EDUCATION OF A YOUNG POET

Named a "Best Books for Writers" by Poets & Writers

A LONG HIGH WHISTLE

"One of the best books about reading poetry you will ever find." — Library Journal (starred review)

Oregon Institute of Creative Research: E4

Ethics, Æsthetics, Ecology, Education

__________________________________

Clinton Street Theater

The most literary theater in Portland

__________________________________

The Drawing Studio

Demystifying drawing since 1990

A Haven for Writers
Since 1999

Join Our Mailing List

Keep your writing life in order. Sign up now for free announcements of resources for your writing, plus practical tips about workshops and events.

Take a Workshop

APPS DUE Apr 20: Creative Nonfiction (CNF) Studio | Apr 30 - July 2

APPS DUE May 10: Atheneum Master Writing Program for 2020-2021

FREE: Consult about Your Writing

SPRING: Micro Memoir Workshop I w Matthew Dickman | Apr 26 - May 31

SPRING: Poetry of the Ecstatic Unknown Workshop w Ashley Toliver | Apr 27 - June 1

SPRING: Craft of Memoir Workshop w Brian Benson | Apr 28 - May 26

SPRING: Poetry of the Everyday Workshop w John Morrison | Apr 28 - May 26

SPRING: Find Your Voice Fiction Workshop w Joanna Rose | May 2 - June 6

SPRING: The Writer’s Crucible Workshop w Philip Kenney | May 2 - June 6

SPRING: Writers' Toolkit Weekend Workshop w Wayne Gregory | May 16-17

WEEKEND: Self-Portraits: Writing from Life w David Biespiel | May 31

SPRING: Micro Memoir Workshop II w Matthew Dickman | July 12 - Aug 9

SPRING: Experiments in Poetic Revision Workshop w Ashley Toliver | June 8 - July 6

SPRING: Seeds for New Poems w Patrick Dundon | Jun 13 - July 11

SPRING: So You Wanna Be a Writer Workshop w Wayne Gregory | June 25 - July 23

Faculty

David Biespiel

Merridawn Duckler

John Morrison

Matthew Dickman

Carol Hendrickson

Wendy Willis

Whitney Otto

Wayne Gregory

Emily Whitman

Brian Benson

Betsy Porter

Ed Skoog

Edward Derby

David Ciminello

Patrick Dundon

Ashley Toliver

Lee Montgomery

Emily Chenoweth

Joanna Rose

Philip Kenney

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation in today's cultural and political environment. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We condemn all acts of racism, sexism, ableism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and Islamophobia. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and language as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with diverse identities. We understand that to know the world is to write a better world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming social justice, diversity, and open inquiry.