USC will soon host a workshop for wordsmiths who are keen to share their stories through poetry and performance at the Sunshine Coast Council’s annual Horizon Festival.

The workshop from 2-4pm on Saturday 11 August will be presented by USC academics Nycole Prowse and Robin Archbold as the first session of ‘The Bunker’ spoken word series.

This program includes a further workshop in late August and then competition heats and finals during the Horizon Festival, which will run from 24 August to 2 September.

Dr Prowse, who is also the director of Peripheral Arts that collaborated with Writers Republic to organise the event, said the USC workshop would be free to those registered for the competition heats.

“The Bunker program has been in the making for quite a few years and we’re really proud to have created this all-inclusive environment for emerging storytellers and poets,” she said.

“It’s open to all creative folk and we’re hoping we can fill the USC Gallery with 50 people. This is about feeling empowered and connected to others.”

Horizon festival director Zohar Spatz said the planned workshops at USC and Solbar Maroochydore would enable people to celebrate their stories, and meet renowned artists such as the Coast’s own Jandamarra Cadd and UK Slam Poet Champion Joelle Taylor.

“Every one of us has a different story to tell and this format offers people the chance to tell that in a variety of different dialects, from prose to rap,” Ms Spatz said.

“There’s been a groundswell of support and I’m sure everyone will feel really proud to have taken the literary leap.”

For more information visit Horizon Festival.

— Michelle French