New program links Conte students, professional writers

NORTH ADAMS — For many middle school students, writing is something done in class — reports, tests or homework assignments. First comes the assignment, then the completed project.

Inkberry, a small non-profit literary organization, is trying to end that cycle.

Starting next week, Inkberry will combine the resources of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the North Adams Public Library and Silvio O. Conte Middle School to launch “The Write Stuff.”

The new program, which has been in the planning process for more than two years, is designed to connect teens with local professional writers and to give them an inside look at the creative writing process, while at the same time improving their writing skills.

“We want to get these kids excited about writing,” Jill Gilbreth, Inkberry executive director, said Wednesday.

The Write Stuff initially will offer Conte students four eight-week writing sessions per year after school. Inkberry and its partners hope to eventually expand the program into classrooms.

“The first session will be run by humor writer Seth Brown,” Gilbreth said. “I think with humor writing you need to know your audience and know the subject you’re writing about. Seth has done an online course for us — it was very well received.”

In the spring session, students will work with local poets who are composing pieces about five selected images featured at the Williams College Museum of Art.

“It’s called ekphrastic writing,” Gilbreth said. “The students will hear the poetry composed by poets, visit the museum and then do their own ekphrastic poems. We’re looking to do our final spring workshop around the idea of science and superhero graphic-novel writing.”

Each session will end with a “performance piece,” with students reading or performing their work at the library. The Transcript has committed to publishing the final works of the humor writers in a special section of the newspaper, which also will feature photographs from the classes.

The idea for the program originally arose from Inkberry’s board of directors, which wanted to get the group more involved with local schools. Last summer, Gilbreth met with faculty from Conte Middle School and children’s librarian Marion Grillon.

“At first it was just a few teachers — Melissa Quirk, Sarah Luczynski and Marie Kelly-Whitney. Then others got involved,” Gilbreth said.

The group came up with the idea of including MCLA students as mentors, largely because of the role they already have played in elementary education and other public school programs.

“I think mentoring is really important, and the children really look up to the college students,” Gilbreth said.

After meeting with college representatives, it was determined the program could partner with MCLA and receive assistance through its recently awarded three-year Massachusetts Campus Compact Grant.

“We will receive $500 for student coordinators,” Gilbreth said. “The student coordinators will be either English or education majors. They will find volunteers to work in the classroom with the instructor and the students.”

The October classes will meet on Tuesdays after school for students who sign up for the program. On Thursday afternoons, the MCLA interns will be available at the library for all Conte students who may want writing help.

“We want to augment the writing programs at Conte,” Gilbreth said. “Middle school is a real critical time for teenagers. I remember when I was in public school — there was an extensive curriculum around the arts. Now, a lot of budgets in those areas are cut. We want to build a piece around creative writing.”

Besides funding from MCLA, the North Adams Public School system is providing grant money through its after-school programs, and Inkberry is seeking sponsors from the community.

“Right now, our fund-raising goal is about $5,100,” Gilbreth said. “As we go along, we will have to raise more, as we add in classroom programs. I’d also like to do a program where we bring in a local children’s author every year to the elementary schools to read their work to the children. I’d also like to provide the students with the books.”

The Write Stuff already has drawn interest from business and community leaders, largely because of the collaborative effort.

“I just think this is a great program to help students find their voice,” Gilbreth said. “It makes sense for us all to work together. We’re all just down the block from one another.”