Classes, Workshops, and Residencies

Calling all high school poets

First place: $250
Second place: $150
Third place: $50

Each participating poet will also receive Marcus Amaker’s latest book, The Color of Carina’s Dreams, a YA novel in verse.

Event Info
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 2pm–4pm
Location: Charleston Gaillard Center: Second floor, Salon I
Admission: Free

• Poems do not have to be memorized.
• We will be doing three rounds, so poets are asked to have three poems prepared.
• Write about whatever inspires you. But please keep your poetry respectful toward fellow poets and classmates.

Arts Literacy is a middle and high school residency program designed to bring literature to life through an artist’s interpretation. Each residency centers on a single text, unpacking its story elements with a highly qualified teaching artist across 8-10 workshops and culminating in a class field trip to an evening performance at the Gaillard. The program provides classroom sets of the book, teaching artists, show tickets, and bus transportation.

Arts Literacy Lesson Guides coming soon…

Sneak Peek

• Macbeth
• If Beale Street Could Talk
• COTTON: a Poetry Residency
• The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
• Hadestown: Greek Mythology

For more information about bringing Arts Literacy to your school, please contact Sterling deVries at sdevries@gaillardcenter.org.

Marcus Amaker offers interactive, engaging workshops that center poetry, sound, and self-expression. These sessions are designed for students of all backgrounds and skill levels, and can be tailored for classrooms, assemblies, or after-school programs.

Workshops include:

Sound & Freedom: A dynamic exploration of sound poetry and voice, where students create their own “album” using words, rhythm, and beat-making.
Feeling Scene & Heard: A writing-based experience focused on identity, visibility, and empathy — through prompts like “how others see us vs. how we see ourselves” and “a letter to your future self.”
Alliteration & Imagination: For younger students, this playful session introduces poetic devices through games, rhythm, and group writing exercises that spark creativity and build confidence.

In addition to group workshops, Marcus also offers one-on-one mentoring sessions for students who may benefit from more personal creative guidance. He is also available for school-wide presentations, where he shares his journey as a full-time artist — blending poetry, music, graphic design, and storytelling to inspire young creatives.

All offerings are flexible and can be customized to meet the needs of teachers, classroom goals, and specific curriculum connections.

Each session emphasizes creativity, emotional literacy, and the power of personal storytelling — with a focus on joy, inclusivity, and artistic freedom.

Email Marcus directly to schedule your in school visit marcus@marcusamaker.com.

The Charleston Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program provides pre- and post-performance workshops for every educational performance, at no cost. Our team of teaching artists are available to come to your school to prepare students for the performance and to return to unpack the performance. All workshops are curated to align with South Carolina Academic Standards and support arts in learning.

Explore upcoming workshops on the Education Performances page.

Email wgreen@gaillardcenter.org to learn more.

The Charleston Gaillard Center offers professional development opportunities for educators to strengthen their skills in arts education and beyond.

This two-part workshop is designed for teachers of all grade levels as an introduction to incorporating digital arts into your classroom curriculum.

PART ONE
September 25 | 9am–12:30pm
• Beeple Studio tour
• Teacher professional development on introducing digital arts to students hosted by Gabi DeLo
• Q&A with Mr. Winkelmann (Beeple)

PART TWO
September 26 | 6:30pm
• Teachers return as our guests for a special night of art and music at the Beeple/Sō Percussion event.

The Charleston Gailard Center will reimburse schools for substitute pay.