"Public Writing, Public Libraries"

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“Public Writing, Public Libraries” is a program of Grin City Collective Artist & Writers Residency. Hosting over 45 visiting artists and writers each year, Grin City provides artists with time, space and the tools they need to make creative work with a direct impact on Iowa. Co-director Molly Rideout explains, “The talent of our visiting artists have a direct impact on our community. We support the inception of over 50 artist projects a year. Select projects, like ‘Public Writing, Public Libraries,’ have a lasting effect for Iowa. Then our visiting artists and writers return home to New York or Montana or Perth, Australia, and continue building community with their work. The impact is global, but it starts right here.”

Cedar Falls Public Library was paired with poet Purvi Shah. Ms. Shah’s poetry will speak directly to each of her partnered communities. The winner of the SONY South Asian Social Service Excellence Award met with community members and library staff before composing unique poems for Cedar Falls and Marshalltown Public Libraries and Grinnell College. Poetry's accessibility is very important to Shah, who immigrated to America from India as a child. Visit CFPL’s Young Adult room to read “American Ghosts” and “Opening Stages,” penned for our community.

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