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Louisa Shepard
Senior News Officer
lshepard@upenn.edu
Kelly Writers House
What’s That? Banned books chair
What’s That? Banned books chair
The inaugural story in a new Penn Today series “What’s that?” features the banned books chair, decoupaged with words and pictures, one of the 50 beloved and mismatched chairs in the Kelly Writers House arts café.
Who, What, Why: Jamie-Lee Josselyn
Who, What, Why: Jamie-Lee Josselyn
As associate director for recruitment for the Creative Writing Program, Jamie-Lee Josselyn visits high schools across the country to talk with student writers about opportunities at Penn.
Beyond America’s racial fault line
Beyond America’s racial fault line
Professor of practice Ben Jealous discussed race, politics, America’s long history of interracial collaboration, and his new book with Camille Z. Charles during a co-sponsored event at Kelly Writers House.
Building a better world, one side gig at a time
Building a better world, one side gig at a time
The 10th piece for this series showcases a nurse who founded a low-cost dance studio, a staffer who fosters kittens, an HR specialist who teaches high schoolers life skills, and an English professor who volunteers for his old summer camp.
Poet Wes Matthews combines writing, music, research, and service
Poet Wes Matthews combines writing, music, research, and service
College fourth-year Wes Matthews is combining writing, music, research, and service during his Penn experience. A former Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, the anthropology major and religious studies minor works at the Kelly Writers House and is a Wolf Humanities Center fellow.
ModPo celebrates its first decade
ModPo celebrates its first decade
Modern and Contemporary Poetry was founded by Al Filreis of the School of Arts & Sciences at Kelly Writers House in 2012, and now has 69,000 people enrolled globally. Poets and participants came to campus to celebrate the 10th anniversary.
Cosmic Writers brings free creative writing education to school-aged children
Cosmic Writers brings free creative writing education to school-aged children
May graduates Rowana Miller and Manoj Simha lead Cosmic Writers, a project supported by President’s Engagement Prize that provides free creative writing instruction to K-12 students virtually throughout the world.
Rounding the bases and finding home at the Kelly Writers House
Rounding the bases and finding home at the Kelly Writers House
Former Major League Baseball centerfielder Doug Glanville spoke with students about his life and career in the seminar created and taught by English Professor Al Filreis and during a public reading and conversation.
From the page to the stage
From the page to the stage
In collaboration with author Amitav Ghosh, musician Ali Sethi, and Penn’s Brooke O’Harra, 14 students brought to life a parable Ghosh wrote about the world’s largest mangrove forest, human greed, and the environment.
Rowana Miller and Cosmic Writers want to make writing education equitable
Rowana Miller and Cosmic Writers want to make writing education equitable
Along with a team of passionate fellow students, Miller runs a nonprofit called Cosmic Writers, which provides virtual and in-person writing workshops for young writers.
Media Contact
In the News
Philadelphia Magazine
Why are 30,000 people studying poetry online with this guy?
Al Filreis of the School of Arts & Sciences is spotlighted for his popular online course on modern poetry.
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PBS NewsHour
Mother and son who are both poet laureates work to inspire others
A profile examines the poetic accolades of College of Arts and Sciences fourth-year Wes Matthews and his mother Airea D. Matthews, including their involvement with Kelly Writers House.
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Hidden City Philadephia
Kelly Writers House celebrates 25th anniversary
A profile examines the history and influence of Kelly Writers House as it prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, with quotes from Al Filreis of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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