Feelings and Visions Shared Through Young Eyes

In her quest to  introduce the community to all forms of art, Chowan Art Center Director Meredith Timberlake collaborated with John A. Holmes English teacher Malorie Stockwell and renowned NC Poet Phillip Shabazz for a week long Artist in School residency. The program included a freshman English honor student workshop. Introducing more literary art to the community is one of Timberlake’s major focuses.  

Students spent time in the residency exploring the art of poetry, while reading works from other poets.  

Shabazz is considered a teaching artist and has built and outstanding, extensive and respected career around his teaching, his personality and his ability to share the personal importance of the craft.  

His writings express the diversity life has to offer along with the challenges everyone will eventually face on their own level. His teaching explore examples of his work,  and those written feelings of others. His methodology inspires personal transparency within relationships between friends, family, fear and foe.  

Stockwell and Shabazz had a positive effect on the young poets. One mother approached Shabazz after the readings and commented about how much more positive and outgoing her son’s personality was after the week of poetry.

Shabazz’ teaching style could be considered contagious. The experience of sharing feelings together and being honest about those feelings created a bond, possibly lifelong.  

Holmes High School Principal Sonya Rinehart, family, friends, and passers-by gathered at the CAC to listen as the students shared their feelings.  

Rinehart offered words of praise for Shabazz and the students.

Timberlake was enthused about the event and how many parents, relatives and friends took part. She looks to bring all type pf arts to the community, and make them accessible for all to enjoy.

“It was wonderful to see such a full house at the CAC for the event. It was a wonderful afternoon,” said Timberlake.