Join Residential Life (ResLife) Graduate Hall Director Santi Marquez for a two-part workshop about using poetry, literature, and art to create meaningful connections with others. Through this workshop, you will have an opportunity to work with others. Santi, a master's student at Columbia Teachers College studying Counseling Psychology and Bilingual Mental Health, started a poetry project at Central Park during Fall 2019. Trying to share meaningful stories with others, he would sit at a bench with his typewriter and a sign that said, "Tell me a story, idea, or feeling, and I'll write you a poem." The project had incredible results; he shared many very intimate and vulnerable stories with strangers that approached him, listening to them with warmth, sharing a part of their life with them, and sometimes even sharing hugs (pre-COVID) with them. After their conversation ends, Santi would write them a poem that reflected the conversation, which they got to keep. Thanks to the project, he got invited to Word Up Community Library and Strand Bookstore to continue his work there. During the first workshop, participants will: receive an overview of Poetry at the Park project, engage in ways to actively listen and create meaningful conversations, and explore creating Art on the Spot. Prior to the 2nd workshop participants will divide into pairs, meet virtually with their partner before the next workshop, share stories via guided prompts, and write a poem/create art.