Storytelling and poetry writing is good for the writer and the reader. People like to hear stories and read poems that they as readers can identify with. Although writing groups can help veterans recover from war trauma, their purpose is to help individuals find themselves and not be seen as therapy for the writers. No such claim is made for the upcoming storytelling workshops at Medomak Arts, 13 Friendship St., Waldoboro.
Medomak Arts is looking to fill a class of about eight to 12 people who would meet every other Friday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for face-to-face storytelling. No one is a therapist and no one seeks therapy. Facilitating the class will be George Chappell, a poet and retired journalist from Rockland, and Michael Madore, a poet and artist from Waldoboro. Both are veterans. Chappell has a master’s degree in creative writing from Goddard College in Vermont.
Madore will help students with their art and Chappell with their writing. Chappell is the author of two poetry books and is a lifelong newspaper writer, including for the Bangor Daily News and Courier Gazette. Madore is a published poet, and artist, and a Vietnam veteran.
The classes are free and scheduled to last for six weeks. Donations will be accepted at the door.
Chappell said he was inspired by the spirit of art at galleries in downtown Waldoboro in seeking the new venue for the class. He can be reached at 593-2177 or by email at gchap@gwi.net.
