Poet and non-fiction author Christine Lowther has left her float home near the small coastal community of Tofino to live comfortably at Historic Joy Kogawa House for the winter. While in residence from now till January 30, 2017, Lowther is developing a new work of non-fiction that aims to remember and heal her more than eleven years in foster care after the murder of her mother, poet Pat Lowther.
Nature writing will be within the scope of her research, as well as social workers’ government files, letters from an incarcerated parent, and the creator’s responses and artistic imaginings to fill redacted sections, as well as personal investigation of author Clifton Crais’s disturbing conclusion that our worst childhood memories cannot all be remembered because of how trauma affects certain areas of the brain. Lowther writes for youths, particularly those living at risk, despite being “in care” as wards of the court, but also for adult survivors of the child and family services care system.
The Historic Joy Kogawa House Society is pleased to provide the space, time, and resources for Lowther to create new work.
As part of her residency, Lowther will be hosting public programs at Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue, as follows:
Memoirs That Trigger Change: Reading and Discussion
When: Saturday, November 19, 4:00pm
Where: Historic Joy Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Avenue
Spend an afternoon with authors Christine Lowther, Kate Braid, and Sonja Larsen on how writing can change ourselves and the world we live in. Christine will read from Born Out of This, Kate will read from Journeywoman, and Sonja will read from Red Star Tattoo.
Shut Up and Write Sessions
Tuesday, November 22, 2:00 to 5:00pm
Tuesday, November 29, 2:00 to 5:00pm
Learn more about Shut Up and Write on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/suaw.vancouver/