The Goals of MSA PPS:

• Develop the skill of public reading for writers, both novices and journeymen, by providing a safe atmosphere in which to read their work
• Encourage poets, writers and would-be writers to devote time to write and create
• Help writers hone their craft through workshops and lectures
• Collaborate on group literary projects
• Promote the art of poetry in our community through public readings
• Celebrate the life of the community through poems for special occasions
• Raise awareness that the act of writing poetry and prose can heal emotions and elevate self-esteem

MSA PPS Regular Meetings:

• 2008 Open Mike Poetry and Prose Readings at the Clearbrook Library the 4th Tuesday every other month from 6:30PM - 8:309PM... more info
• 2008 Blue Moon Reading Series at Clearbrook Library 6:30-8:30pm Tuesdays, April thru September... more info
• 2008 Executive Meetings and Member Poetry Reading at Kariton Gallery the 1st Tuesday every other month... more info
• 2008 Annual General Meeting at Kariton Gallery on Tuesday December 2, 2008 7-9pm... more info
• Full list of 2008 events

A Brief History of MSA PPS

MSA PPS was started in 1981 by Donna Bishop. "From childhood, Donna dabbled in creative writing of poetry and drama. But her parents discouraged it as frivolous. And being insecure and shy, she tended to hide what she had created. There were other pressures in her adult life and she felt quite stressed. But in 1976 she ventured into a poetry reading group at the Burnaby Art Gallery. Here, amidst much more experienced and accomplished writers and readers, she read three of her pieces. She received a standing ovation.

About this time she, her husband and their family moved to Abbotsford. Her dream was to start a poetry reading club to give other writers the same opportunity of inspiration and encouragement that she had received in Burnaby."

The first advertised meeting for a poetry reading club in July, 1981 generated no response but with Donna's perseverance it grew to a group of twelve by September. And "for twenty-five years she has been a most active organizer, encourager, promoter, visionary and guiding force."

Since that humble origin PPS has

• sponsored dozens of open mike readings where members and newcomers can read their work
• hosted poetry reading series such as the Blue Moon Series which featured poets drawn from outside the area
• collaborated on various anthologies Valley Poetry, Volumes I & IIColours of Life and the latest volume Poetic Spirits of the Valley
• staged annual poetry festivals in Mill Lake Park
• celebrated the demise of SE2, a controversial energy project, through word and song

For a more detailed history see the book Poetic Spirits in the Valley ©2006 from which these quotes were drawn.

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