New Writing Workshops, Classes at the Arts Center of Saint Peter

    June 2nd, 2023

    SAINT PETER, MINN. – Drop-in writing workshops for beginners, multi-week craft classes, and manuscript reviews are among the new offerings for local writers beginning June 22 at the Arts Center of Saint Peter, made possible through a partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato’s master of fine arts in creative writing program.

    “So many of our students are passionate about community writing,” said MFA program director Geoff Herbach, who developed the program’s inaugural graduate assistantship devoted to overseeing workshops and classes at the Arts Center. Third-year MFA student Alex French will be the first to hold the position, leading a majority of the sessions this fall and coordinating instructors both from within the MFA program and outside of academia.

    Upcoming opportunities are as follows:

    • Single Session Generative Writing Workshops on June 22, July 20, August 10, September 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Drop-in fee $10, no registration required. For absolute beginners and anyone looking to shake up their creative process. Teaching artists Martha Otis, Alex French, and others will provide everything you need — paper, writing utensils, and prompts. Participants will be encouraged but not required to share what they produce. Register at artscentersp.org/classes.
    • Reading Like a Writer, Mondays Sept. 11-Oct. 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Teaching artist Alex French leads an exploration of various craft books, with discussion and writing exercises to connect the writing process to our experience of literature. $160. Minimum enrollment: 4. Maximum: 8. Register at artscentersp.org/classes.
    • Elements of Craft, Sundays Oct. 22-Dec. 10, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Teaching artist Alex French curates a lineup of guest presenters each focusing on a single element of craft. Includes discussion and writing exercises. For writers with some experience in any genre, looking to enrich and deepen their creative process. $160. Minimum enrollment: 4. Maximum: 8. Register at artscentersp.org/classes.
    • One-On-One Manuscript Reviews. Pricing varies by project parameters, with options such as: $60 for a review of the first fifteen pages plus a meeting to discuss; a per-word rate for longer material; page edits at hourly rates; and $250 for project guidance consisting of excerpt or outline review and three meetings. Contact director.acsp@gmail.com for further information on opportunities and to begin the registration process.

    This activity is made possible through grants the Prairie LakesRegional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation