Museums of Myself

Museums offer spaces to muse – to stop, think and reflect, amongst a ‘poem of objects’. But beyond the walls of real museums, the idea of them – as metaphor, as device – holds its own appeal. Exploring the appeal of collecting, organising, and displaying the ephemeral, in this session we will create a Museum of Ourselves. Inspired by museum poems, with ideas and activities drawn from Caleb’s MSc research, this session is focused on reflection, play and enjoyment in curating – which means caring for – our inner lives.

About Caleb Parkin

Caleb Parkin, Bristol City Poet 2020 – 22, has featured in The Guardian, The Rialto, The Poetry Review and was guest poet on BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please. His debut collection This Fruiting Body (Nine Arches, 2021) was longlisted for the Laurel Prize. He’s published three pamphlets: Wasted Rainbow (tall-lighthouse, 2021); The Coin (Broken Sleep, 2022); and collected City Poet commissions, All the Cancelled Parties (2022). His second collection, Mingle (Nine Arches, October 2024) recently featured in Resurgence and Ecologist magazine.

Caleb has featured at literary festivals including Poetry in Aldeburgh, Lyra Fest and Push the Boat Oat. He tutors for Arvon, Poetry Society and Poetry School and holds an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes from Metanoia Institute. He is currently a practice-based PhD researcher at University of Exeter with RENEW Biodiversity, exploring human/nonhuman communication and creaturely voices in poetry.

Low cost places available

We believe the price of our courses should never be a barrier to your learning. If you are unable to pay for a place on this event, you can apply for a bursary place.

Wellbeing for Writers 2025

New Writing South is delighted to bring back Wellbeing for Writers Month in 2025! Writing is often a solitary journey, full of challenges that demand resilience. This summer, we’re creating space for writers to nurture their creativity and well-being.

Whether you need meditation and rest to recharge your creative energy, strategies for tackling difficult themes in your work, or movement to align body and mind, Wellbeing for Writers 2025 has something for you. Join us and create in the sunlight this summer!