A Gentle Tune Waking Up Your Universe- Wed. April 24th, 2-4PM

Music the great healer merges with poetry by Rumi, Cass Adams, Rabia, Zsuzsanna Budapest, and other poets to nurture your body, psyche and soul.  Discover the poetry about music that can create a sanctuary in you as you work, and then rest.  Enjoy writing with ease as you integrate the sounds around you.  What better way to wake up with positive energy than to appreciating poetry intermingled with music. This workshop includes guided meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing & group discussion.

Register directly with the Library - 518 -263- 4655 / hunterpubliclibrary@gmail.com

Funded by Poets & Writers - New York Council on The Arts

A Practice of Self Tolerance – Free workshop - Hunter Public Library - Wednesday April 17th, 2024, 2-4 PM

You are rising to a new level of consciousness at each age.  Remembering to strive for self-tolerance not to judge yourself harshly is a practice. Poetry by Kabir, Walt Whitman, Saigyo, Marianne Bonita Fogg Smith, St. Catherine of Siena, and others will be a beacon to self-appreciation and nurturance and gentle mindfulness as you engage in daily life. This workshop includes guided meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing & group discussion.

 Register directly with the Library - 518-263-4655 or hunterpubliclibrary@gmail.com

Funded by Poets & Writers - New York Council on The Arts

When Someone Deeply Listens to You!

Wed. April 10th, 2024, 2-4PM

It’s amazing when we feel heard and validated in our communications with others.  When Someone Deeply Listens to You is a transformative experience.  In this free workshop we will aim towards practicing good, effective listening so that we can feel nurtured.  Poets like Marilyn Nelson, John Fox, Mary- Elizabeth Cotton, Rumi, and others have shared their experiences in their poems about listening which helps us to better serve others and meet our own needs as well.  This free workshop includes guided meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing & group discussion.

Register directly with Hunter Public Library - 518- 263-4655 or

hunterpubliclibrary@gmail.com

Funded by Poets & Writers - New York Council on The Arts

Please join me on Saturday April 6th, 1-3PM for a Free Authentic Poetry workshop: As Wild As The Forsythia

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY!

The untamed forsythia awakens the eye with its brightness. What if you could be as wild and as glowing as its flowers? In this workshop we will allow ourselves to be as wild on the page. Enjoy guided meditation, visualization, poetry reading, creative writing with prompts, Sharing. Poetry from the East & West will create lively group discussions. We will explore poems from Frances Chung, Billy Collins, Don Mee Choi, Mary Mackintosh, Virginia Shreve and others. No writing & meditating experience necessary, just an open wild mind! Register by writing to Jerrice@authenticpoetry.com

The Poet’s Journey from Aloneness to Connectedness is an Authentic Poetry workshop which allows us to honor our journey of being born alone as human beings and to find our way to connectedness as poets with all that is in our surroundings and beyond. World known poets: Wendell Berry, Arlene Gay Levine, David Whyte, Derek Walcott do remind us in their generous writings how lonely the journey can be, yet we get offered many chances to discover and create a common bond.

Enjoy Guided Meditation, Poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing & group discussion in a welcoming gentle atmosphere! All writing levels welcome! No previous meditation experience necessary! Welcome to our circle!!! register by writing to Jerrice@authenticPoetry.com

Joy

Jerrice

Traveling with The Fortunate Ones - Saturday March 16th workshop - 1PM- 3PM EST on Google Meet!

Sponsored By Prattsville Art Center, NY

Who are they the fortunate ones? Do they live in total bliss? Do they not know any suffering? Discovering the poetry of Robinson Jeffers, Rabia of Basra, Alberto Rios, Anthony De Mello and other world known poets & spiritual figures will shine their light on who can be seen as the fortunate ones. 

Travel the path to determine for yourself whether they are indeed fortunate and where you stand in the realm of this discussion.

During the two hours of this workshop you will enjoy guided meditation relevant to the topic, Reading poems from world known poets on this topic, Be inspired to write with creative prompts, Become more in tune & aware of your body. Reflect, Share your own inner voice, Engage in discussion with other participants. No previous writing or meditating experience necessary. All are welcome to experience the process of Authentic Poetry! Register by writing to Jerrice at Jerrice@authenticpoetry.com

Register now! Space is limited. Looking forward to welcoming you into our circle! Joy, Jerrice J. Baptiste

Please Join me for an exciting Authentic Poetry workshop on Saturday March 2nd, 1PM-3PM EST on Google Meet. Sponsored by Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY.

Icicles are nature’s crystals. If we could see our lives through them what would we see? Our poems would either grow cold or warmer based on our histories, current experiences and memories. World known poets, K.S. Moore, Dg Nanouk Okpik, Mary Oliver, Rabia of Basra and poetry in my adult poetry book "Wintry Mix" will reveal the magic of icicles.

They are never too far from our Winter’s poems. Imagine them in a guided meditation, visualization, poetry reading, writing with prompts, sharing and group discussion. This workshop will take place on Google Meet. Space is limited, reserve your place in the circle of writers of all abilities. Register at Jerrice@authenticpoetry.com No previous writing or meditation is needed to enjoy this workshop and upcoming others.

See you soon I hope in our circle of welcoming creatives.

~ Joy & Peace
Jerrice J. Baptiste - Poetry Facilitator

Poetry Workshop: Illuminating Your Heart with Love

Join teaching artist and poet Jerrice J. Baptiste on Saturday, February 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for this FREE Poetry Workshop at Stamford Library!

Love flowing from your heart is a gentle practice that requires presence. Participants will learn when and how to open their hearts to love with courage and learn how to accept love in return.

Love is the perfect stillness and the greatest excitement, and most profound act, and the word almost as complete as His name. - ~Rabia of Basra (c.717-801)

World renowned poets from East and West, including Maya Angelou, Rabia of Basra, Jeff Foster, Tada Chimako, and others will be a beacon to guide us through cherishing our own practice of loving from the heart.

Enjoy free guided meditation, poetry, creative writing with prompts, sharing, and group discussion in a safe circle.

Space is limited and registration is required by Wednesday, Feb. 14 by calling the library 607.652.5001 or by stopping in the library today!

About Jerrice J. Baptiste

Jerrice J. Baptiste is the founder of Authentic Poetry workshops in The Hudson Valley, NY for the past 20 years. as well as a teaching artist/poet at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY.  Jerrice has been a recipient of a CREATE Grant for poetry performance & Teaching in Prattsville, NY in 2022.  Jerrice has been Poet-in-Residence at The Prattsville Art Center for the past three years. She is also a recipient of a residency for the Women’s Leadership Program at The Omega Institute in 2019.  She has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize for 2024 and as Best of The Net by Blue Stem for 2022.

Jerrice has been the featured poet on Planet Poet: Words in Space in Roxbury, NY, The Woodstock Poetry Society, and The International Women’s Writing Guild.  Her poetry has been published and forthcoming in Urthona: Buddhism & Art, Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & The Arts, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Poetica Review, The Minetta Review, The Banyan Review, Kosmos Journal, The Caribbean Writer, Big Wing Review, Chronogram & hundreds of others. Her poetry and collaborative songwriting are featured on the Grammy nominated album, Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti.

There is so much wisdom available to us from those who have meditated on what life is showing us each day and how we can integrate them into our lives. World known poets from the East and West, William Carlos Williams, The Buddha, Antonio Machado, Kobayashi Issa, Vasant Lad have much wisdom about the path we’re traveling and what we should keep in mind at each point on the road. What may help us have an easier time? Join us to discover their wise words and your own through Guided Meditation, movement, poetry reading, writing, sharing and group discussion in this free two hour workshop. We will gather on Google Meet! Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency in Prattsville, NY.

Please join me for an Authentic Poetry workshop

Friday, January 26, 2024, 10AM-12PM (EST)

What can we say about the conditions of our world? It saddens me and I often feel powerless to help. I think many of us feel that way. But as poets and as a member of this one world community we have a true purpose which is to express ourselves through the gift of poetry. Let's explore how to cope with wars, destruction, famine, poverty and cope with the news of our world whish is overwhelming. How can we proceed without daily meditations, creative writing, sharing and group discussions. What is it like to Live in this World? In this $50 2-hour workshop we will be present with each other in the Authentic Poetry process and with these questions. This class is full. Joy & Peace, Jerrice

This Free workshop will be on Google Meet Saturday January 20th, 2024 from 1-3PM (EST)

Sponsored by Prattsvile Art Center, NY

Please join me for "The Embrace: Peace in Winter," a free Authentic Poetry workshop on Saturday January 20th on Google Meet.

Winter is a beautiful postcard of white blanketing the trees, rooftops, the skylights, the roads we travel. Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection of our lives as we snuggle up with warm teas, loved ones and poems by Thomas Merton, Bai Juyi, Edna St Vincent Millay, Liu Zongyuan, Wallace Stevens. We can embrace the Winter from the East and West and find Peace in its beauty and also embrace our amazing thoughts, inner voice, and creativity during this quiet time of the new year. Come for free guided meditation, inspiring prompts for writing, reflection, discussion of what you embrace!

The Sweet Soul

Reaching the dimension of sweetness which you crave requires judgment to fall aside and simply observing the blossoming. The sweetness already exists within you.  World known poets Toi Dericotte, Hafiz, Harriet Kofalk, Susan Griffin, Rabia of Basra and others share how they engage with their soul to allow the sweetness to rise from within.  Become so sweet through your own authentic poetry writing!  The Sweet Soul is a $50, 2-hour workshop where you will experience guided meditation relevant to our theme, explore the poetry of these fabulous world known poets, write with creative prompts, reflect, share and discuss how to nurture the sweetness of your soul. A prior writing assignment on this theme will be encouraged for sharing with the circle of poets.  No previous writing or meditation experience necessary.   

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY.

Free on Google Meet

Getting through the holidays can be quite hard, if you're experiencing unwanted solitude, loss, grief, longing. What if there's no one to kiss beneath the mistletoe? what if you've lost your loved one? what if you're far away from others you love? Dealing with an illness, or simply experiencing the holiday blues? This Authentic Poetry workshop is for most of us who may not be feeling the holiday cheer and want to be in company of others who need a bit of acknowledgment. In a safe atmosphere on Google Meet we will gather to read poems from world known poets like Walter De La Mare, Sandrs M. Castillo, Susan Elizabeth Howe, Li Bai and others who were not exactly in the mood to celebrate. You can still feel respite through guided meditation, creative writing with prompts, sharing & group discussion.
This free workshop brought to you by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY. Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Baby It’s Cold Outside: Controversial Song & Inspiration!

Friday December 15th 10AM- 12PM (EST) on Google Meet

It’s no secret that the song Baby It’s Cold Outside has much charm and appeal but yet the 1940’s scene that Frank Loesser composer and lyricist had created causes much controversy. In poems by Sonia Sanchez, Nassy Fesharaki and others we get the deep poetic sensibility of this song. Whether you find it comforting during the holidays or worrisome there’s much discussion it can evoke. In this $50, 2 hour workshop on Google Meet, we will meditate, discover some fascinating historical facts about this song, write with creative prompts, learn from world known poets, share our views on this popular song that may still be relevant for generations to come. You can be empowered and creative during the holidays and engage in stimulating conversation! A prior creative writing assignment will be encouraged to be shared in the circle of men & women! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY.

This workshop will take place Free on Google Meet Saturday December 2nd, 1-3PM (EST)

Winter is a beautiful postcard of white blanketing the trees, rooftops, the skylights, the roads we travel.  Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection of our lives as we snuggle up with poems, books and loved ones.

The Wisdom found in Winter poems written by the Rainer Maria Rilke, Ryokan, Victor Hugo, Chikasaw Song, Naomi Shihab Nye and other well known poets will be a guide to the gifts we barely notice in this season. I will facilitate guided meditation, creative writing with prompts, sharing of poems and humor of the wise ones.
Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Cheerful Poinsettia & Uncertainty - December 1st on Google Meet!

The merry, warm and cozy feelings of the holidays can create in us a need for it to last. How can we carry the feelings of peace, love, joy throughout the rest of the year? In this $50 Authentic Poetry workshop, Enjoy guided meditation for the season, poetry from world known poets Chung Mi Kim, Maggie Smith, Tukaram and others, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing and group discussion! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Please join me for an invigorating free workshop on wellness.

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center - Free on Google Meet

Become more aware of the good habits that will help you integrate health for your mind, body & spirit. Whether you are working on restoring or maintaining great health and balance this workshop will synthesize all good things that will support you on your journey! Enjoy guided meditation, Poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts and sharing, reflection and group discussion.
Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center, NY, on November 18th 1-3PM (EST) This workshop is facilitated on Free on Google Meet!
Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

The holidays connect us to family and friends. We will celebrate the traditions that we value and since many of us travel during the holidays to be with family, we will contemplate how to get to our inner & outer destinations. It can be a big challenge getting to those moments of peace, poets Joy Harjo, Pablo Neruda and others will share their journey to peace and model how we can get there. Guided Meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing, and group discussion in a circle of men & women will provide a safe & nurturing place to be who you are! $50 for this workshop on Google Meet. Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

When Someone Deeply Listens to You- Saturday November 4th

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY

It’s amazing when we feel heard and validated in our communications with others.

When Someone Deeply Listens to You is a transformative experience.  In this workshop we will aim towards practicing good, effective listening so that we can feel nurtured. Enjoy free guided meditation, Poetry from world known poets John Fox, Marilyn Nelson, Rumi, Sharon Olds and others will offer great insight on how to engage in listening and feel heard. space is limited. Register for this free Authentic Poetry workshop by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Auburn, Amber, Crimson, mustard yellow, eggplant purple are among the many various colors of Autumn that come into our lives. What colors appeal to you and why? What energy centers do they awaken in you or invigorate? In this workshop, we will explore through guided meditation, reading poetry from world known poets from the East & West: Matsuo Basho, January Gill O’Neil, Marilyn Chin, Bruce Weigl, Emily Jungmin Yoon, Paul Lawrence Dunbar and others to serve as inspiration for your own writing and discovery of which activities of Autumn you can embrace based on the colors that attract you. $50 for this workshop. Open your mind, Lift a pen, & write effortlessly. Autumn is the perfect season to start a meditation & creative writing practice in a loving circle! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

In Praise of Autumn - Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center

You are invited to take part in this heart warming wonderful Autumn workshop celebrating all things we love about this new season, the crisp clean air, falling leaves, pumpkins, squashes, apple pies, fresh scent of cinnamon teas, and cuddling up or discovering a great poem by well known poets like John Keats, Gwendolyn Brooks, Archibald Macleish, Mary Oliver and others! also enjoy guided meditation, creative writing with prompts, sharing and group discussion!

This free workshop is sponsored by the Prattsville Art Center on Saturday October 21st 1-3PM on Google Meet! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Join me for a free Authentic Poetry Workshop - Stamford Library, NY

Let’s be in moments of gratitude together in a circle poets with guided meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing & group discussion. Please call the Stamford Library, NY to register. Space is limited!

Autumn sparks changes in nature and in us. The subtle changes of acorns thumping the earth, each day is a dance of intimate color of leaves captivating us. How are we like the rich season of Autumn? How do we embrace this season?  What qualities do we have in common with Autumn?  In this workshop we will look closely at the subtle changes in us and in nature. How our thoughts like leaves float in the wind.  We will search for the perfect soft places to land.   Poets like Wendell Berry, Saigyo, Carolyn Riker, Joy Harjo, Ki no Tomonori, Amanda Newbery and others will spark the scents, tastes, sights that we admire so much about autumn. $50 for this workshop on Google Meet which includes guided meditation appropriate for the season, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing & group discussion. A prior creative writing assignment is encouraged but not required to participate in this workshop. I hope to welcome you in our circle of poets and meditators! Relax, Become glorious like the new season! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthentitcPoetry.com

Sweet Surrender – Saturday October 7th - 1-3PM (EST)

sponsored by Prattsville Art Center

Beloved, we’re continuously being asked to surrender to the challenges presented in our lives.  At every corner, we must rise above a new obstacle.  There is a softness, a gentleness, a sweetness in surrendering when the load is too big for us to carry. From the poetry of Mary Oliver, Kabir, Denise Levertov, Deborah L. Kelly we can feel supported in our journey. In this free Google Meet workshop, Guided Meditation, poetry reading from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing and discussion will offer us the opportunity to practice the state of surrendering in a safe & loving atmosphere. Register by writing Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Autumn is soon to be here! Begin or Renew your practice of Authentic Poetry to Restore Wellness & Affirm Healthy Living!

September 22nd 10AM-12PM (EST) on Google Meet!

Letting go of habits that don't serve us any longer is a daily practice & choice. This new Authentic Poetry workshop will help you cultivate more awareness of the good habits that will support your own health: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual. $50 for this 2 hour workshop. Enjoy guided meditation, Creative writing with prompts, discovering poetry from world known poets, sharing, group discussion & reflection!

Poetry from world known Poets: Ellen Bass, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Jamie Sams, Dr. Alla Renee Bozarth, D.H. Lawrence & others will inspire us to be on the path for our own process towards excellent health! You can begin to heal, feel more vibrant & creative in a supportive circle of men & women.

All writing levels welcome! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

May you be healthy, happy & free! Namaste!! ~Jerrice

Not Your Typical Miracle – Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center

There are some moments in life that we can’t explain or can only explain as a miracle.  Most of us ask for miracles and it’s interesting to see in what way we are blessed by them.  In this workshop about miracles we will explore the poems of Marilyn Nelson, A.E. Stallings, Rumi and other poets who have their own take own miracles.  They lead us to see what could be considered miracles in our own lives.  This workshop meets on Google Meet. includes guided meditation, poetry from world known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing and group discussion.   space is limited. Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Journal Entry- My Sacred Blessings

Friday September 8th 10 AM-12PM

Gathering on Google Meet

Our own personal world is far from perfect, at times chaotic, so that we miss out on noticing the blessings of our days which can be extraordinary.   In this Authentic Poetry workshop – Journal Entry: My Sacred Blessings, you will become more aware of “the quiet miracles that seek no attention.”  It is a great practice to keep a gratitude journal as it helps us realize how blessed we are! 

World known poets: John O’Donohue, Rosemary Wahtola Trommer, Mary Oliver, John Welwood, Jan L. Richardson and others write about their blessings to remind us of ours.  Rejuvenate your spirit with guided meditation, poetry reading of world known poets, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing and group discussion. $50 for this workshop on Google Meet.  A writing assignment is encouraged to be completed before this workshop to be shared with the circle of poets of men & women! All writing levels welcome! Breathe, don’t fret about enlightenment! Register at Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com

Creating the Rest You Need – Animal Wisdom Teaches

Saturday September 2nd 1-3PM (EST) Free on Google Meet

Sponsored by The Prattsville Art Center & Residency, NY

When you are overwhelmed with work your body forgets there’s another way it can be. Awareness is the key to finding a balance with work and play. The animal kingdom can be a simple reminder of how to be at ease in your body at work and especially at rest. You can learn from the wisdom of poets such as Tukaram, D. H. Lawrence, Eva Cagianese, St. John of the Cross, Sandra Arnone St. Francis of Assisi and others. They will serve as inspiration for your own writing, whether you have a pet at home or enjoy the view of the animals of the world they can be a model for setting a rhythm that works for you at home and at work. This free Authentic Poetry workshop includes guided meditation, creative writing with prompts, gentle movement, sharing & group discussion and reflection! Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com. Space is limited. Sign up early! See you soon to Create the Rest You Need!! Joy, Jerrice

Beautiful Human Being!

August 25th 10AM- 12PM (EST)

 What are you going to do with the sadness, the fears, the flaws, the wants and cravings?  How about accepting your flaws as part of the joy of being a Beautiful Human Being!  What we can learn from each other through this workshop is how to live with ourselves through our kindnesses, our wisdom for dealing with the disappointments, the sadness and joys that float in and out through us like clouds.  You are a complex, wise, kind, evolving beautiful human being. World known poets Tracy K. Smith, Lao-Tzu, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Mark Nepo, Danusha Laméris recognize our flaws and the -isness of what it means to be human!  Enjoy Guided Meditation, creative writing with prompts, reflection, sharing and group discussion in a circle of men & women. $50 for this workshop on Google Meet.  A creative writing assignment will be encouraged to be completed before the workshop to be shared in the circle.  All writing levels welcome!  Register by writing to Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com  

The Dream Keeper – Free Authentic Poetry Workshop

August 19th 1- 3PM(EST) on Google Meet

Sponsored by the Prattsville Art Center

Bring me all of your dreams,

You dreamers,

Bring me all of your heart melodies

That I may wrap them

In a blue cloud-cloth

Away from the too-rough fingers

Of the world.

                             ~Langston Hughes

How can we protect and honor the fragile experiences of our inner child?  World known poets Naomi Shihab Nye, Juan Pablo Mobili, Philip Booth, Ursula K. Le Guin and others write of fascinating experiences of children and parents from the point of view parents.   We must honor our holy innocence. This workshop offers us this opportunity through real experiences in creative poetry.  A workshop where poets teach us about children and therefore how to nurture our own inner child. All writing levels welcome in a circle of men and women. Enjoy guided meditation, poetry from word known poets, creative writing with prompts, sharing and group discussion in a gentle warm atmosphere.

Register at Jerrice@AuthenticPoetry.com