Bruce Rice is the previous Saskatchewan Poet Laureate, an essayist, and editor living in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 4 Territory and the Métis homeland. He grew up in Prince Albert and returned to the province after ten years in the Maritimes. Bruce holds a B.A. from Saint Thomas and a MSW degree from Dalhousie University. Bruce writes about community, reclaiming the voices of those who live on the margins, and how we are transformed by landscape even as we leave our footprints on it. He has a children’s book and six books of poetry. His awards include two Saskatchewan Book Awards, and a Saskatchewan Book of the Year nomination. Bruce has collaborated with artists on performances incorporating dance, music and film. Rice’s first book, Daniel, won the Canadian Author’s Association Award. Judges said it, “portrays life’s hardships with an elegance of language which is stunning.” His work ranges from social document and critique, to meditations on art, landscape and wilderness. He says, “I became a better poet when I surrendered to beauty.” His newest book, Standstill: A Hopewell Earthworks Daybook and Other Essays (Long Road Press 2024) has been called ‘a pilgrimage’ that ranges from Ohio’s 2000-year-old earthworks to art that has literally saved lives, and to those who have lost part or all of their power of speech.
Finding your voice, subjects like writing from art, urban or natural landscapes, mental health, poetry as inclusion and giving voice.
Poetry or combination of poetry and prose in the same session. focus on Voice and character, finding your voice, drive in language, imagination in language, ethics and practical issues. Writing from Art.
Combination of reading and workshop and students' own writing, group work and learning.
