Culturama's 2023 In-Person Workshop Schedule

All workshops times are based on Pacific Standard Time

Friday, November 3rd

9:00 - 10:20 AM

CLS Sandoval, "Yourself as Your Best Resource: Techniques for Writing From Your Own Experiences"

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: In this workshop, writers will explore ways in which they can draw from their own experiences to write in any format that they wish. Academic and anecdotal approaches will be explained and played with as we free write and brainstorm for our existing and future writing projects. Participants are encouraged to bring objects, pictures, etc. that they have a connection to as well as something to write on and with.
Bio: CLS Sandoval, PhD (she/her) is a pushcart nominated writer and communication professor with accolades in film, academia, and creative writing who speaks, signs, acts, publishes, sings, performs, writes, paints, teaches and rarely relaxes. She’s a flash fiction and poetry editor for Dark Onus Lit. She has presented over 50 times at communication conferences, published 15 academic articles, two academic books, three full-length literary collections, three chapbooks, as well as flash and poetry pieces in several literary journals, recently including Opiate Magazine, The Journal of Magical Wonder, and A Moon of One’s Own. She is raising her daughter and dog with her husband in Alhambra, CA.

Ivan Rios: "Using Bloom’s Taxonomy and Burke’s Pentad to Locate Learning"

Location: Mt. SAC Library (Building 6, Room 222)
Workshop Description: Students can use the levels of Bloom’s to identify the gaps in student understanding. Students can also use the tools in the workshop to produce analysis in their essay assignments, or/and combat writer’s block, for the students will understand when they can’t apply facts to rhetorical situations (class discussion, supporting their claims, remembering facts of the text) due to knowledge gaps.
Bio: Ivan Rios is an English, Literature, Critical Thinking professor.

Paul Paiment, “Incorporating A.I. into Image Production”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: Paul Paiement will present and discuss the twenty-year evolution of his “Hybrids” series of paintings. His paintings address issues of truth, artificial intelligence and veracity of images in our digital age.
Bio: Paul Paiement has exhibited his paintings in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His work has been written about in numerous publications and is in countless private and public collections. He is represented by Tufenkian Fine Arts (Los Angeles), Ethan Cohen Gallery (New York), and Adelinda Allegretti (Rome). He is a tenured professor in the Art Department at Cypress College.

REACH Program, “I Am… Poem Workshop”

Location: Multicultural Center inside Building 410 (Student Center)
Workshop Description: Coming Soon!
Bio: Coming Soon!

10:30 - 11:50 AM

Augie Hicks, “What is Your Storytelling Writing Style?”

Location: Music Building 2M, Room 104 (2M-104)
Workshop Description: Are you a pantser or a plotter? Let’s explore some of the conventions of writing.
Bio: Augie Scott-Hicks is an educator who writes fiction and non-fiction. She is a published author of Victorian Thriller, Western Thriller and Amateur Sleuths (Agatha-Josephine and Nicky Charle). She is an avid volunteer, serving on panels, and a member of Sisters In Crime, Left Coast Crime, Bouchercon, L A Festival of Books, E Hula Mau, and other events. She judges novels (awards) for Killer Nashville and other mystery writing groups. She’s a proud holder of degrees from Mount Sac; AA and the University of La Verne: BA in English, master’s in education, and a doctorate in education. She loves talking to people and to her aging labrador retriever.

Pauline Swartz & Lloyd Aquino, “A Book Lover’s Guide to Connecting: Book Clubs, Solo Reads, and Everything in Between”

Location: Mt. SAC Library (Building 6, Room 222)
Workshop Description: Whether you're interested in joining a book club or prefer the solitude of solo reading, this workshop is for you. Explore how to start or participate in book clubs, discover a variety of book clubs and resources, and gain valuable insights and tools for maintaining reading journals. You'll also have a chance to explore our petting zoo of reading journal products. Join us and level up your reading experience this year! We recommend creating and bringing a recommended reading list of 2-3 titles to share during the workshop.
Bio:
- Pauline is a librarian and has been a devoted reader since her Reading Rainbow viewing days. She has served on the American Library Association's Outstanding Reference Sources and Sophie Brody Medal committees. She also loves stationery products and is excited to explore reading resources, ideas, and this workshop's petting zoo of tools for reading and reading journals with you!
- Lloyd Aquino is the current coordinator of Culturama at Mt. SAC. He teaches composition and creative writing poetry. Three books of his poetry have been published over the years: Madeline After the Fall, Concrete’s Song, and Once It’s Over.

Jennifer King, “Drawing House Plants Influenced by Sound A.I.”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: During this workshop, we will create floral drawings and integrate AI as a step within that process to transform our work, accentuating the expressive elements of the drawing. Each artist drawing will be unique, and artists will learn how to use AI as a tool to expand creativity and imagination.
Bio: Jennifer King is a Los Angeles based artist, professor and curator. She earned her MFA from Claremont Graduate University in 2017 and she focuses her practice on figurative oil painting.

Giovanni Rodriguez, “Honoring our Ancestors: Dia de los Muertos Arts & Crafts”

Location: Multicultural Center inside Building 410 (Student Center)
Workshop Description: Join the El Centro team to explore the history and purpose of Dia de los Muertos. Choose from different crafts from decorating picture frames to papel picado. If you want to bring a 4x6 picture of a dearly departed you would like to honor, please a copy with you to this workshop.
Bio: Giovanni was born and raised in San Francisco/Bay Area to hard working immigrant parents. He was a non-traditional student who worked in healthcare and senior care while attending community college. With over thirteen years of experience in student housing, student leadership, and educational research in California Community College and California State University campuses, he is passionate about the art of counter storytelling. He integrates his minor in studio arts and master’s in education to explore identity, diversity, and community building. He currently serves as the Director of El Centro, the Center for Latinidad at Mt. San Antonio College.

Mark Givens, Betsy Mars, Shannon Phillips, Aruni Wijesinghe, “Publisher’s Workshop & Panel Discussion”

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Talk with our panelists from the publishing world as they share their knowledge of the industry and give valuable insights, tips and advice about how to get your work published. Bring short samples of your writing if you’d like to have any of our panelists give you a critique of constructive feedback.
Bio:
- Mark Givens is the owner of Pelekinesis, a local publishing company, and Bamboo Dart Press, a collaboration with Shrimper Records. He is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Inlandia Institute.
- Betsy Mars is a poet, photographer, occasionally runs a small press, and is an editor at Gyroscope Review. She has her bachelor's and master's degrees from USC, and is the author of two books, Alinea, and In the Muddle of the Night, co-written with Alan Walowitz

- Shannon Phillips is a poet, mom, and editor who has published three chapbooks and one children's book. She also runs Picture Show Press and a moon of one's own, an online poetry magazine.
- Aruni Wijesinghe lives and writes in Southern California, and is the author of three poetry collections (2 Revere Place, The Litany of Missing and Bedside Manners). You can follow her on social media @aruniwrites (Instagram and Twitter) or on her website at www.aruniwrites.com

1:00 - 2:20 PM

Augie Hicks, “Creating a Mystery”

Location: Music Building 2M, Room 104 (2M-104)
Workshop Description: Is there a formula to creating a mystery? Is there a magical procedure to writing a successful mystery? Let’s find out together!
Bio: Augie Scott-Hicks is an educator who writes fiction and non-fiction. She is a published author of Victorian Thriller, Western Thriller and Amateur Sleuths (Agatha-Josephine and Nicky Charle). She is an avid volunteer, serving on panels, and a member of Sisters In Crime, Left Coast Crime, Bouchercon, L A Festival of Books, E Hula Mau, and other events. She judges novels (awards) for Killer Nashville and other mystery writing groups. She’s a proud holder of degrees from Mount Sac; AA and the University of La Verne: BA in English, master’s in education, and a doctorate in education. She loves talking to people and to her aging labrador retriever.

Robert Piluso, “Comic Book Writing”

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Is language more than words to you in your mind, in your heart? Do you find yourself wanting to learn more about writing a comic book page? In this workshop, the student will learn the structure and standard format for what goes into writing and ultimately illustrating a sequential art-styled comic book page. With technological resources, a worldwide stage, and the natural power of the human will, no time is better than now to create your own comics. Come lean to unleash your unique vision into the universe!
Bio: Robert Piluso, M.A., M.F.A., is a Professor of English at Mt. San Antonio College where he teaches composition, literature, mythology, cinema, and fiction writing. He earned his advanced degrees from C.S.U. Fullerton in English and University of Southern California in Writing for Screen and Television. Piluso's independent comic series Redemptor, Señor Zorro, and most recently Gangster Bat have all debuted on the best-selling list of Graphic Novel Adaptations on Amazon. Prior publications include over a decade of entertainment journalism and film criticism at Script Magazine, a chapter in The Essential Sopranos Reader (University of Kentucky Press), The Chaffey Review, and Dash. He lives with his wife Dani Gomez and daughter Madelyn in Southern California.

Shari Wasson, “Journaling in the Wildlife Sanctuary”

Location: Meet in the Building 1A Courtyard (Lunch Area), then walk together to the Wildlife Sanctuary
Workshop Description: Come enjoy an afternoon at the Mt. SAC Nature Preserve, as we connect with and explore the natural world through Nature Journaling. Spending time in nature, observing and drawing what we see, noting what we hear, feel, think, and wonder about can be an enjoyable way to slow down, de-stress, spark curiosity and inspiration, and deepen our appreciation for the natural world. A small sketchbook journal will be provided. No experience required.
- Number of Students: limited to the first 20 to arrive
- What to bring and wear:
  - Pen/s or pencil/s and eraser.
  - Optional: Other easily portable drawing materials as desired by the participant such as colored pencils, small watercolor and brush set, etc.
  - Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for being outdoors and walking, sitting, standing on dirt pathways. Dress appropriately for the weather on the day of the workshop. An umbrella will be useful in the case of light rain.
  - Bottle of water.
  - A towel or matt to sit on if you do not want to sit on the dirt.
Bio: Shari Wasson is a fine artist and Professor of Art at Mt San Antonio College. She is also a birder and certified California Naturalist, who has a great love of California’s native plants and animals.

ARISE Program, “Parol Making Workshop”

Location: Multicultural Center inside Building 410 (Student Center)
Workshop Description: Coming Soon!
Bio: Coming Soon!

2:30 - 3:50 PM

Monica Fernandez, “How to Market Your Work: Navigating Publicity in the Literary World”

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Whether you just published a book, or you're just starting to write, learn some tips and tricks on how to market your work and yourself within the literary community, and become a great literary citizen! You'll learn best practices, social media tips, and get a chance to create your own publicity plan and write mini-pitches for yourself and your work.
Bio: Monica Fernandez (she/her) is the Media Director at Red Hen Press. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine cum laude with a BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing, and from City University London with a MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. She has had several short fiction and creative nonfiction pieces published in The Chaffey Review, Rind Literary Magazine, Scribendi, The Left Coast Review, Creepy Gnome, and Pure Slush Magazine’s Envy anthology. She is Filipino-American, a proud Hufflepuff, and a film and theatre enthusiast.

Hong Guo, “Unlocking Your Creativity with Historical Photos”

Location: Mt. SAC Library (Building 6, Room 222)
Workshop Description: Use college historical photos for creative writing, zine making, and other interactive activities. All materials will be provided.
Bio: Hong is a librarian, and passionate advocate for history and everything library related. She believes in the boundless potential of creativity, which she believes lies within all of us. She loves to capture the beauty of plants, books, dogs, food, and people through her photos.

Tess McVaugh, “Guidebook for Artists/Writers/Creative Using Visual Metaphors”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: This workshop is for creatives of all mediums, and will utilize visual metaphor, writing activities, and collaborative discussion to help discover why you do what you do, why you make what you love to make. Too often, artists are not taught how to access the depth underneath and behind their subject matter; in this workshop, you will learn how to access discoveries that will only deepen the way you research, plan, and produce your art.
Bio:
- Tess McVaugh was born in Sacramento and is currently working towards her Masters in Fine Arts from Azusa Pacific University. She believes that the job of the artist, the job of any creative person, is to wrestle with the inner complexities of what make us who we are - to grapple with the internal work that everyone must do but not everyone has the courage to begin.

- William Catling is a San Francisco native who was trained in the 70's and 80's by artists from the Bay Area Figurative School. He brings his active studio practice along with over four decades of teaching to this workshop in order to help others on their journey to uncover what is "behind the wall" in their life and art.

DREAM Program, “The River of Life”

Location: Multicultural Center inside Building 410 (Student Center)
Workshop Description: Coming Soon!
Bio: Coming Soon!

4:00 - 5:30 PM

Monica Fernandez, Anna Badua, “Creating in a World with A.I. - Panel Discussion”

Location: Building 9C Stage
Workshop Description: Are you curious about artificial intelligence (AI)? Learn about AI and how you can utilize these tools in your own creative process. This panel discussion will leave you with a fresh perspective on the possibilities of AI. We will go beyond discussing it as a tool for plagiarism and leave workshop goers with some useful applications like project management and making creative work more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities.
Bio:
- Monica Fernandez (she/her) is the Media Director at Red Hen Press. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine cum laude with a BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing, and from City University London with a MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. She has had several short fiction and creative nonfiction pieces published in The Chaffey Review, Rind Literary Magazine, Scribendi, The Left Coast Review, Creepy Gnome, and Pure Slush Magazine’s Envy anthology. She is Filipino-American, a proud Hufflepuff, and a film and theatre enthusiast.

- Anna Badua is a Senior Instructional Designer at the University of Southern California (USC). She holds an MA in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technology from CSULB that grounds her theoretical methodology toward technology integration. She is an award-winning visual communication educator with a passion for humane technology, inclusive approaches, and multimedia learning and design. She has also exhibited art and published poetry.

Saturday, November 4rth

9:00 - 10:20 AM

Allen Callaci and Michelle Dougherty, “Songwriting: Basics for Beginners”

Location: Building 1B/C, Room 3 (1B/C-3)
Workshop Description: This workshop is for beginning songwriters or anyone who has ever wanted to write a song but is unsure of how and where to start. Presenters will cover basic song structure and some brainstorming techniques as well as strategies for how to move from an idea to a finished song. This session will also include some time for participants to work on their own ideas, so feel free to bring a guitar or other acoustic instrument if you would like to!
Bio:
- Michelle Dougherty is an English Professor at Mt. SAC and a singer-songwriter.

- Allen Callaci has blogged for BK Nation, The Huffington Post, and Inland Weekly. He is the author of the memoir Heart Like a Starfish, an account of his heart transplant; Louder Than Goodbye: Reflections and Remembrances from Kurt Cobain to Mary Tyler Moore to the Most Sinister Man to Ever Walk the Earth, the17 & Life. He is also the singer/lyricist for the pioneering lo-fi band Refrigerator. When not writing or singing he works as the Assistant director at the Upland Public Library and part-time English instructor at Mt. SAC where he has taught Preparation for College Writing, Freshman Composition, and Critical Thinking.

Tanner Naas, “Understanding How to Open and Close Narrative Acts”

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Storytelling is a messy endeavor and takes a lot of effort to organize effectively. Learn how iconic franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter organize their narrative arcs to raise anticipation and create a satisfying crescendo to a story’s climax.
Bio: Tanner Naas is a community college professor of English with a great appreciation for fantasy and young adult novels. He loves reading and has spent significant time researching the advice and practices of different authors in the genre. From the outline writing approach of Brandon Sanderson to the seat-of-your-pants writing used by Stephen King, Tanner has acquired a well-rounded understanding of the different approaches and techniques used in creative writing and is looking forward to sharing them with attendees during Culturama.

Rebecca Ustrell, “Collage-A-Zine with Curious!”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: Join Curious Publishing's founder, Rebecca Ustrell for a hands-on zine making workshop using vintage magazines, colorful paper and 2D art techniques. All materials will be provided. New to zine-making? Zines are small DIY publications which are assembled by cutting and pasting ideas and images into a booklet. Collage is a technique of art creation, primarily used in the visual arts, but in music too, by which art results from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole.
Bio: 100% artist owned and operated since 2017, Curious Publishing is a grassroots, BIPOC Womxn founded small press and artist think tank focusing on social justice, mental health, and amplifying marginalized voices in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Curious Publishing is Fiscally Sponsored by The Arts Area, a Non-Profit 501(c)3 Organization operating out of Upland, CA.
CuriousPublishing.org

10:30 - 11:50 AM

K. Andrew Turner, “Sensual Poetry: Embodying the Senses In Poetry”

Location: Building 1B/C, Room 3 (1B/C-3)
Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will explore how to use our senses to create rich, embodied poetry about our surroundings.
Bio: K. Andrew Turner writes queer, literary, and speculative prose and poetry. In 2013, he founded East Jasmine Review—an electronic literary journal. He was a semifinalist for the 2016 Luminaire Award. Heart, Mind, Blood, Skin is now available from Finishing Line Press. Read more at: www.kandrewturner.com

Jennifer Chen, “Aluminum Foil Lithography - Printmaking without a Press”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: Lithography is a planographic printmaking technique that is based off the principle that oil and water don't mix. In this workshop you will draw on aluminum foil and learn how to print multiples with a spoon!
- Materials to bring: Bring an image you want to draw, a metal or wooden spoon you won't use anymore.
Bio: Jennifer Chen is an artist whose work encompasses various mediums, including printmaking, drawing, painting, and photography. Her work is centered around the exploration of ecosystems, human impact on the environment, and cultural history.

1:00 - 2:20 PM

Stephanie Barbé Hammer, “The Late Show: Starting or Restarting Your Writing Practice at 50 and Up”

Location: Building 1B/C, Room 3 (1B/C-3)
Workshop Description: Bring paper and pen/pencil and/or your laptop as we play with our memories to create the beginnings of stories/poems about what may have happened, what should have happened, and what never happened. We have SO much material, the older we get, so let’s glory in all those mistakes, mishaps, and/or missed chances.
Bio: Stephanie Barbé Hammer is a 7-time Pushcart Prize nominee in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and the author of 7 published books: 2 novels, 1 novelette, 1 novella, and 3 collections of poetry. Wait, she lied! She also wrote a handbook on how to write Magical Realism.

Tanner Naas, “The Art of Reversals in Storytelling”

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Human beings have an astounding ability to predict future outcomes by recognizing patterns. However, just like a good magic trick, writers can take advantage of the expectations created by these patterns through a powerful narrative tool, reversals. Explore the power of reversals and how they can be used to create higher levels of engagement between a reader and your story.
Bio: Tanner Naas is a community college professor of English with a great appreciation for fantasy and young adult novels. He loves reading and has spent significant time researching the advice and practices of different authors in the genre. From the outline writing approach of Brandon Sanderson to the seat-of-your-pants writing used by Stephen King, Tanner has acquired a well-rounded understanding of the different approaches and techniques used in creative writing and is looking forward to sharing them with attendees during Culturama.

Phoebe Millerwhite, “Even Fine Artists Have to Write! Artist Statement or Bio One-on-One Review”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
To Make One-on-One Appointment: interested participants must contact Melissa Macias at mmacias75@mtsac.edu to schedule a one-on-one appointment time.
Workshop Description: Artists: Have you struggled to write a snappy, attention-grabbing artist statement or biography to accompany your amazing work? Bring a one paragraph to one page artist statement or artist bio (hard copy or thumb drive) ready for a personalized editing session and together we will polish and refine your statement.
Bio: Phoebe Millerwhite is an artist, writer, and adjunct faculty teaching museum and gallery studies at Mt SAC.

Melissa Macias, “Courtyard Art-Public Share Space to respond to AI”

Location: Building 1A Courtyard (Lunch Area)
Workshop Description: Artists: Share your views about AI and creativity in a large-scale format, and walk away with a smaller personal work to continue to share your message.
Bio: Melissa Macias is a practicing artist and professor at Mt. San Antonio College, where she currently serves as the Mt. SAC Art Club advisor. She received her BA and MFA from California State University, Long Beach. Her personal work explores ideas of memory and mythmaking through mixed media and installation.

2:30 - 3:50 PM

Bill Cushing & Chuck Corbisiero, “Talents Combined”

Location: Building 1B/C, Room 3 (1B/C-3)
Workshop Description: A musician-poet team of New York City transplants will stage an interactive performance and open mic session, inviting attendees to work with Chuck in reading their material as he accompanies them. For those interested in “taking to the stage,” contact us at notesandlettersla@gmail.com.
Bio:
- Chuck Corbisiero earned a BFA in Musical Performance and Arranging from City College of New York under Gil Evans, later working with Eddy Arnold and now performs regularly with Orchids in Zoom led by John Mills. He plays both guitar and upright bass fiddle, specializing in jazz, blues, and Brazilian.
- Bill Cushing, called the “blue collar” poet by classmates, earned an MFA in writing from Goddard College. His work has appeared worldwide, and he has four poetry collections available. He retired from Mt. SAC in 2020 but continues teaching there as well as facilitating a weekly writers workshop.

Andreana McCall, “Memoir Writing: Telling YOUR story YOUR way"

Location: Art Building 1B/C, Room 12 (1B/C-12)
Workshop Description: Bring any personal written work you’ve completed either for the Culturama or outside of it. Bring pens, paper and an open mind as we learn to creatively construct our own personal scrapbook Zines. We will learn that memoirs can take many forms and all that matters is that YOUR story is told in YOUR way.
Bio: Andreana is just a dope Black girl with a heart full of stories. She’s written one fairly decent memoir which makes her NOT an expert. However, she learned some things in the process worthy of sharing with others who have a story to tell. A graduate of San Diego State university, she earned her BA with an emphasis in comparative literatures. If there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s a good story. She earned an MA from Grand Canyon University in English for post secondary education. And by golly she’s been putting that bad boy to use for the past two years at Mt. SAC where she is a professor of English who helps students find and USE their own voices.

Shannon Phillips, “Using A.I. as a Tool for Creating”

Location: Building 1A, Room 1 (1A-1)
Workshop Description: “Poetry makes language visible by making language strange.” – Michael Davidson. We all get stuck sometimes when we’re writing, and one way to help you get un-stuck is to use tools like A.I. to “make language strange” again. In this workshop, we’ll look at a few different sites you can use to shake things up, so you can get back to working on your manuscript.
Bio: Shannon Phillips is a poet, mom, and editor who has published three chapbooks and one children's book. She also runs Picture Show Press and a moon of one's own, an online poetry magazine.

4:00 - 5:30 PM

Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Featured Reading and Open Mic Reading

Location: Building 9C Stage
Workshop Description: Join us as we celebrate the beautiful and amazing work everyone has created during Culturama. The Mt. SAC English Department will hand out awards to Mt. SAC students for their outstanding writing submitted to our Writers’ Day Contest. There will be space for anyone who wishes to display any arts and crafts they created during the weekend. Featured reader Stephanie Barbé Hammer will read her work as we celebrate the publication of her upcoming novella Journey to Murveilleux City. And we’ll bring Culturama to a close with our traditional open mic reading, where anyone in attendance can participate and read their work.
Bio: Stephanie Barbé Hammer is a 7-time Pushcart Prize nominee in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and the author of 7 published books: 2 novels, 1 novelette, 1 novella, and 3 collections of poetry. Wait, she lied! She also wrote a handbook on how to write Magical Realism.