Writing from the Archive Studio
Lend voice, experimentation, and poetry to historical material in your writing.
This course will explore how to craft new poems from historical material that really exists. A kind of ekphrastic poetry, where the material inspiring us may be a logbook from a Nineteenth Century hospital, or a report from Local Authorities.
Participants will be encouraged to pick their own archival material from which to create. This could be a family photo, an old letter you’ve found, or a newspaper article linked to a particular event.
Looking at the work of poets such as Jay Bernard, Cameron Awkward Rich, and others exploring historicity in the present day, we’ll find ways to lend voice, experimentation, and aliveness to moments from the archive.
Studios are 4-week intensive courses. Reading material will be distributed before the course begins. There are no live chats so they are suitable for both UK & International students.
To apply for a concessionary rate, please send relevant documentation showing your eligibility for one of our concessions to administ[email protected]. Conditions of eligibility are detailed here. If you have any questions or wish to be added to the waiting list of a sold-out course, please email [email protected]. For more information visit our Online Courses page.
Image credit: Tuva Mathilde Løland
About Remi Graves 
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Remi Graves is a London based poet and drummer. A former Barbican Young Poet, Remi’s work has been commissioned by St Paul’s Cathedral, Barbican and BBC Radio 4. Remi has led courses at The Poetry School and facilitates in schools and community spaces around London. Remi has performed at Cheltenham Literature Festival, Tate Modern and more. Remi’s debut pamphlet with your chest was published in 2022 by fourteen poems.
'I have attended several courses at the Poetry School and all have been of a very high standard. The tutors have been well prepared and provided a wide range of material to generate discussion and ideas for writing poetry. Fellow students have been supportive and offered constructive criticism. I would recommend the Poetry School to any aspiring poet, whatever their level of expertise.'
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