The Creative Writing curriculum at Kinder HSPVA continues to evolve because of the unique courses and experiences your support makes possible. Your gifts to HSPVA Friends fund the adjunct faculty, technology, and supplies that allow the teachers to offer a wide range of specialty courses that challenge students to think critically, take creative risks, and find their voices. Take a look below at some of the programs you made possible in 2024-2025.
YOUR GIFTS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING COURSES:
- Acting for Writers with Annie Wild
- Asian American Stories with Ariana Brown
- Creative Non-Fiction with Ariana Brown
- Fans of Fandom with Sara Rolater
- Fiction with Sara Rolater and Jan Saenz
- Filmmaking with Richard Ford
- Game Design with Baylea Jones
- Ghost Stories with Jan Saenz
- Illustration/Children’s Books Illustration with Amy C. Evans (Visual Arts ’89) and Summer Quinones
- Latinx Writers with Ariana Brown
- Miyazaki with Brendan Bourque-Sheil
- Narrative Threads with Sara Rolater
- Philosophy with Baylea Jones
- Photography with Hannah Robertson and Corey Sherrard
- Playwriting with Brendan Bourque-Sheil
- Podcasting with Brendan Bourque-Sheil
- Poetry Slam with Ariana Brown
- Pop Culture with Baylea Jones
- Songwriting with Lucas Masllorens
- Staged Reading for Writers with Ariana Brown and Annie Wild
- Tactile Techniques (including collage, illustration, and painting) with Baylea Jones and Sara Rolater
- TV Writers’ Room with Adrienne Carter (Theatre ’92)
- Writing the Body with Ariana Brown
YOUR GIFTS PROVIDED TECHNOLOGY, SUPPLIES, AND SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING:
- A residency with artists from the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
- A downtown mural tour
- Sketchbooks, dye, paint, and brushes for multimedia projects
- An annual subscription to Celtx, an industry-leading screenwriting and playwriting software
- Books (lots of books!) and movies
- Camera and audio equipment for photography, filmmaking, and podcasting
- Printing for the department’s student-produced anthology
- Team building with ComedySportz Houston
XOXO STUDIO BRINGS VALENTINE’S CHEER TO DOWNTOWN
In February, Creative Writing students traveled to office buildings downtown and set up their festive poetry studio during the lunchtime rush. Hess employees and tenants of Hines‘ Texas Tower lined up to request one-of-a-kind poems dedicated to their loved ones.
First, visitors provided the poets with the name of the poem’s recipient, plus a few points of inspiration—like how they met, a favorite food, or a memorable travel destination. On the spot, the Creative Writers composed a custom poem with a hand-lettered calligraphy envelope. Their witty creativity spread smiles and cheer! Check out two of the poems below.
Interested in bringing XOXO Studio to your office? Contact HSPVA Friends Director of Strategic Engagement Matthew Jamison.
