Words in Action Festival Celebrates Queer Art Activism

Exploring practical careers in the arts (they exist).

During the three-day festival “Words in Action: Storytelling, Social Justice & The Tarot,” (held virtually from March 17 to 19), a five-part series of panels, workshops, salons and campus conversations will empower attendees to think practically about pursuing arts-based careers. There will be discussions about identity, inclusivity, self-expression and the fascinating world of Tarot cards.

The inaugural event is the brainchild of Emily Carr, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of creative writing at New College. Funding is provided by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Gender Studies Program at New College is also one of the financial sponsors (helping provide funds for the artist honoraria).

This year’s festival artists are Michelle Tea, a postpunk performance poet who explores class, queer identity and feminism in her writing; and Cristy C.Road, a Cuban-American artist who expresses herself through illustration, storytelling and punk rock. Both speakers will incorporate the Tarot (something Carr uses regularly in her work and teaching) into their events—using it as a creative tool to further communication and inspiration.

Inspiration is everywhere.

“These artists are activists and artmakers I’ve been inspired by, and also people I think will be interesting to New College students,” Carr said. “For example, Cristy is a native Floridian and Ringling graduate who really struggled, as a young Brown woman in Miami and Sarasota, to find her place as an artist. She’s a great example of following your passion and making savvy choices that have allowed her to survive outside mainstream artistic traditions.”

So is Tea, and she has spent decades illuminating cultural issues through her work.

“Michelle is very famous in literary circles for being part of the queer scene in the bay area in the ’80s and ’90s, carving out a space where young writers could talk about their experiences,” Carr said. “She talks about being a young queer artist, and I often use her work as an example in my classes. Students get very excited to see this perspective.”