Writing History
This year, Ajanae Dawkins, a writer, performer, and educator was named the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence at The Taft Museum of Art.
Meet the Artist
Workshop: Confessional Writing Saturday
April 23, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Women Writing for (a) Change, 6906 Plainfield Road
Join Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, Ajanae Dawkins, and Women Writing for (a) Change for a workshop which explores authenticity in writing. Attendees will investigate who is usually the “villain” or person causing harm in their work. Participants will learn how their writing can act as a distorted mirror and how their work might have the capacity to hold them accountable to be more radically honest. This is a free event. Registration is required at womenwriting.org. New and experienced writers are welcome. Recommended for ages 15+. Materials will be provided, or attendees are welcome to bring their favorite writing materials.
Closing Reception, Duncanson Artist-in-Residence
Saturday, April 23, 7–9 p.m.
Artsville, 5021 Whetsel Ave.
Celebrate the closing of the 35th Duncanson Artist-in-Residence with writer and performance artist Ajanae Dawkins and other community leaders. The evening includes a lively night of spoken word and music. Cash bar available.
More information and tickets.
As part of her residency, Dawkins had led public programs, taught workshops, and visited schools across Greater Cincinnati. Her residency wraps up with a workshop and closing reception on Saturday.
Dawkins has performed, and has been featured, at venues across the country including opening for the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and for the Taft’s first Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, poet Nikki Giovanni.
Her work has been published in the EcoTheo Review, The BreakBeat Poets Black Girl Magic Anthology, The Offing, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, Winter Tangerine, The Blueshift Journal, Voicemail Poems, The Underscore Review, Word Riot, Gramma Poetry, The Rumpus, and other anthologies and journals. Dawkins work has also been featured on For Harriet, Def Jam, and Button Poetry and in EBONY Magazine for the “Faces of Frustration: A Year of Racial Protest.”
Currently, Dawkins is a fellow of The Watering Hole writer’s retreat for African American writers and of Pink Door Writing Retreat. She is also an editor for Voicemail Poems, the 2020 Nancy Craig Blackburn Fellow as an MFA candidate at Randolph College, an Alford Scholar as an M.Div. candidate at Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and has recently been selected as a co-host of the Poetry Foundation's The VS Podcast.