This poetry reading and workshop with poet Michele Bombardier and facilitated by Araceli Cruz will include discussion, Q&A, and writing prompts for participants to write their own poems to loved ones. A fun, stress-free workshop: all levels of writing welcome, no experience in poetry necessary. Recommended for ages 14+. Please bring a pen, paper/notebook, and a copy of a picture of your loved one(s). Reception to follow.

Guest Bios

Bainbridge Island’s Michele Bombardier is an award-winning poet whose debut collection, What We Do, was a Washington Book Award finalist. Her work has been widely published in journals and anthologies such as JAMA, Atlanta Review, Parabola, New Ohio Review, Poetry International, and many others. She holds an MFA in poetry from Pacific University and she is the founder of Fishplate Poetry, leading poetry workshops and retreats to raise money for humanitarian aid. Michele is pleased to be the inaugural poet laureate of Bainbridge Island, coordinating literary arts programming for all ages. See more at michelebombardier.com.

Araceli Cruz, originally from Tucson, Arizona, has called Bainbridge Island, Washington home since 2001. A self-taught mixed media artist and playwright, Araceli’s first solo showing was in 2017 with an exhibition at the Bainbridge Island Library. As one of the key visionaries behind BIMA’s Día de Los Muertos annual festivities for the past decade, Araceli has played a pivotal role in honoring this rich tradition. Her creative work is deeply rooted in the essence of Día de Los Muertos, paying homage to the celebration of life and drawing inspiration from Maya and Aztec history and hieroglyphs. Araceli’s diverse portfolio encompasses a wide array of artistic expressions, from the iconic BIMA Día de Los Muertos ofrenda (altar) installations to striking three-dimensional mixed media pieces, unique t-shirt designs, and innovative ofrenda kits. Beyond her visual artistry, Araceli shines as the playwright behind the visually captivating production “Cempasuchil,” showcasing her multifaceted talent and unwavering dedication to storytelling through various mediums.