There are infinite pathways to poetry. In this low-pressure, weekly workshop led by national award-winning writer and published poet Emma McNamara, adults of all abilities are invited to express themselves through poetry in various forms including: Word-bank and magnets, fill-in templates including poetry “mad-libs,” blacking out selective words and making poems out of what is remaining, sensory prompts, line-starter jars including pull a prompt like “The color of calm is...”, plus a collaborative zine at the class’s end.

Please note: The HCA does not provide support services during this program. If you or your student typically requires a 1:1 assistant or support person, we require that the parent/caregiver/aide remain for the class to assist. A section in the registration form allows for the person's name to be listed. We welcome the parent/caregiver who wants to participate actively in the class!

We are able to offer this class at a significant discount thanks to our generous sponsors, Eversource and Dell Technologies.

Instructor: Emma McNamara
Age: 18+
Class Dates: Thursdays, January 15 to April 9, 2026
No Class: February 19
Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
Location: This class takes place at the main HCA location, 98 Hayden Rowe Street. 

HCA Policies: Please review our website's HCA Student Policies and Procedures here.

• Injury Waiver: You must agree to the HCA injury waiver to register for classes. 
  
  
• Photo Release Agreement: You can agree to the HCA's Photo Release Agreement during registration.
  
  
• Waiting List: If this class is sold out, it will say so below and will not allow you to register. If so, please add your name to our waitlist here. 

Scholarships: The HCA believes the arts are for everyone. Thanks to the generosity of the Dora Kishibay Garabedian Scholarship Fund and individual donations to our scholarship fund, we can assist children, teens, and adults who might not otherwise be able to afford classes. Assistance is awarded based on demonstrated need, motivation, and potential benefit to the student. Apply for a scholarship here.

MEMBERS SAVE ON CLASSES: Your membership helps the HCA change the lives of artists and art lovers through its nurturing faculty, state-of-the-art facility, and need-based scholarship program. We are pleased to offer 5% off class costs to HCA Members from the Insider–Plus LEVEL and up.

To apply your membership discount to your order, please log into your account at the top of this page. Once logged in, your membership level discounts will be reflected in your cart at checkout.