Wordcrafters in Eugene

Wordcrafters in Eugene is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary arts organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant writing community. Established in 2013, it provides a platform for writers of all ages, genres, and experience levels to develop their craft.

Mission and Activities

Wordcrafters believes in the power of storytelling to cultivate a more empathetic, creative, and courageous world. The organization offers a range of activities, including classes, workshops, story weekend writing retreats, creative writing summer camps, and open mic events. These programs are designed to support writers from beginners to experts, focusing on genres such as fiction, poetry, mystery, and memoir.

Board and Leadership

The organization is led by a diverse board that includes experienced writers and professionals in the arts and nonprofit sectors. Phosphor Emery Alethes serves as the president, while Eric Braman is the vice president, Carla Orcutt is the treasurer, and Miriam Gershow acts as secretary. The founders, Elizabeth Engstrom Cratty and Juanita Metzler, were instrumental in establishing the organization.

Community Engagement

Wordcrafters engages deeply with the local community through initiatives such as Writers in Schools Residencies, which provide low-income and at-risk students with opportunities to work with professional writers. The organization also hosts events like the Ghost Story Weekend, a writing retreat that combines writing workshops with shared storytelling experiences.

Membership and Funding

Wordcrafters offers membership options with benefits including discounts on events and early registration for workshops. Funding is derived from membership fees, donations, and grants, supporting a wide array of programming for writers.

Impact

The organization has hosted numerous writing conferences and over 700 classes and events since its inception. Wordcrafters' efforts have been praised for creating a supportive environment that helps writers develop their skills and find community among like-minded individuals.

[1] https://www.orartswatch.org/the-wonder-of-wordcrafters-a-eugene-nonprofit-helps-people-find-their-inner-writer/ [2] https://wordcrafters.org/who-we-are/ [3] https://wordcrafters.org/be-a-wordcrafter/ [4] https://wordcrafters.org/who-we-are/our-board/ [5] https://wordcrafters.org