Rebel Joy: In Praise of Everyday Things

Mr B

May 21, 2023, 2:00pm

In a moment when any identity seen as “outsider” can be denied and erased, it is an act of resistance to be alive, awake, and present. To celebrate the small things that bring us joy and take the space to explore our creativity.

Join us for a special all-ages learnshop with poet-artist Mr. B. This Learnshop brings together discussion, writing, and drawing, and is dedicated to all the random and specific things and moments that make us feel sudden and inexplicable joy. We’ll explore Pablo Neruda’s series of poems Ode to the Common Things and bring them into conversation with Frank O'Hara’s poem Having a Coke with You to guide our group exploration.

This is an in-person event, and is free and open to participants ages 9+. Prior registration is recommended, and no experience is required. All supplies will be provided, just bring a curious mind and an interest in making community in a creative space.

Rebel Joy: In Praise of Everyday Things is organized in conversation with the screening-exhibition Bass Notes and SiteLines by Helen Cammock.

Image: Installation view from How Mischief Changed the World workshop dedicated to conversations of inclusivity and social-emotional learning.

Mr. B (He/They) is an experienced facilitator, educator, and artist. He has worked in youth and adult education for the last 15+ years and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with an MFA in poetry.  

He is the creator and illustrator of a children’s and YA book series entitled How Mischief Changed the World published through the Scout Books Equity Alliance Initiative Award. Most recently he has been awarded a Creative Engagement grant through the Lower Manhattan Cultural Center for his project TransJoy Now and Later to create the first ever anthology and exhibit of collected work from all trans & gender non-conforming artists and creators based on the topic of TransJoy. B is most excited about this project as well as his forthcoming collection of poetry, Do I translate?. Their greatest joy is to be able to help other identity-creative people feel more seen and possible.