Patricia Smith, an American poet, spoken-word performer, playwright, author, writing teacher, and former journalist, will join 杨贵妃传媒视频 as its next Creator-in-Residence.
A four-time individual National Poetry Slam champion and winner of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize in 2021, Smith will work with writers and performers on campus. She plans to help students strengthen their voice and take their art form and craft to the next level.
Smith started down the creative path in life as a child, when her father came to Chicago from Arkansas in the Great Migration. He brought with him storytelling prowess that instantly fascinated Smith and sparked a desire in her to tell her own magical stories.
Several major influences on her creative work over the years have helped Smith shape and explore various forms of expression. 鈥淚鈥檒l have to say my father, who encouraged my voice; Gwendolyn Brooks, who encouraged my vision, and the poetry slam, which taught me the importance of empathy and audience.鈥
Creatives often struggle to find their voice; Smith will be a tremendous resource for those students wanting to strengthen their creative voice.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important because it鈥檚 what differentiates you from all other artists,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 your signature. It鈥檚 your stamp. And you never really know. You can come to trust your voice, but that doesn鈥檛 mean you stop searching.鈥
Smith does not attribute one specific thing to inspiring her creative work.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e a writer, you鈥檙e a witness, and there鈥檚 nothing that doesn鈥檛 at least give you the beginning of an idea,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fascinating life鈥攖here are stories everywhere.鈥
Smith describes the creative process as something that 鈥渒nocks you to your knees.鈥
鈥淭he 鈥榗reation鈥 is what prompts you to stand up again,鈥 she said.
The 杨贵妃传媒视频 community will doubtless be energized by Smith鈥檚 new role as Creator-in-Residence. Her expertise and creative vision will complement an already vibrant student community.
鈥淭he key is to learn as much from the students as you鈥檙e hoping to teach them,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淭hat no matter what their major, no matter the path they鈥檝e already carved, the arts are the answer to so many questions.鈥
To improve as a writer, Smith urges people to stop concentrating so much on technique and remember joy, empathy, and patience.
鈥淒on鈥檛 forget to live what you love,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淚 hope I, and the students I work with, give the community another way of thinking of something they thought they knew.鈥
In helping others find their voice, Smith offers a piece of advice.
鈥淚n most cases, they鈥檝e found their voice; they just don鈥檛 trust it,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 talk a lot about the quirky, roundabout path to finding my own鈥攊t鈥檚 not always an easy process鈥 and help them see the voice inside that鈥檚 begging them to listen.鈥
