The creative writing spirit will be in the air on March 12th, when the Prairie Arts Council will host its first-ever Creative Writing Festival for local high school students.

The all day event in Princeton will feature writing workshops, open mike readings by approximately 40 students from seven local high schools, and a creative writing contest judged by local authors. 

“More than anything else, the goal of the festival is to provide an opportunity for young people in our community to celebrate themselves and each other as creative writers,” said Kevin Shyne, PAC board member, a published author and chairperson of the Festival.

Last spring, the Prairie Arts Council sponsored “Voices, Visions and Story Tellers,” featuring readings by local poets and authors. “We wanted to build on our momentum with an event that would
encourage young people with a passion for writing.”

The Festival has been planned and coordinated with the English and Language Arts teachers to be a field trip for the students.  Free of charge to student participants, the event is funded jointly
by the Prairie Arts Council and Omni Arts. 

“We appreciate our partnership with Omni Arts,” says PAC President Steve Esme.  “The Festival exemplifies our shared commitment to a wide range of arts programming throughout the Illinois Valley.”