Workshop Theme Examples
Revolutionary Joy
This workshop will explore the power of joy as a tool for resistance and transformation. Your joy is an incredible source of strength and revolution. Through writing prompts and group discussions, we will uncover our own sources of joy and cultivate a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. In spaces that feel hopeless, joy lends us a source of strength.
Self-Care & Creativity
This workshop will explore the connection between self-care practices and creative expression. We’ll discuss various elements of self-care and learn creative strategies and rituals for honoring our needs. Through writing exercises, and group sharing, participants will discover how self-care can be a powerful tool for unlocking our creative potential and cultivating a sense of well-being.
Rest as Resistance
Rest is our birthright! This dual workshop will focus on writing and practicing rest through a guided poetry meditation. Systemic oppression reinforces rest as unproductive and lazy inducing internalized guilt and shame for wanting rest. This workshop aims to break the stigma against rest and allow participants to form new relationships and connections to their own rest practice through writing.
Grief & Loss
This workshop will explore the complex emotions that arise from experiences of loss. Through writing exercises we will honor and process our grief, allowing for healing and transformation. We’ll discuss navigating the mourning process, through imagery and metaphor to convey emotions, exploring different perspectives and types of loss, and finding ways to celebrate the memories of those we have lost.
Burnout & Resilience
This workshop is designed for those who are feeling overwhelmed and depleted by the demands of work and daily life. Through poetry and reflection, we will explore strategies for managing stress and cultivating resilience, allowing for greater balance and well-being.
Decolonizing Your Imagination
Our imagination is a window into the future and a place where anything is possible. Often, we can unintentionally place barriers and recreate systems within our own creativity. Learn how poetry can decolonize our imagination and open up our sense of wonder and curiosity outside of systemic boundaries. In this workshop we will explore your wildest dreams, and let your creativity loose. You are a creative genius, let’s set it free.
Intersectionality: Honoring your Identities
This poetry workshop focuses on honoring and celebrating your individual identities.We will explore the power of poetry as a tool for self-expression, reflection, and empowerment. Through a series of writing prompts, exercises, and discussions, you will have the opportunity to delve deep into your personal experiences, beliefs, and values, and share them through your own unique poetic voice.
Please reach out for yearly contracts and sliding scale pricing.
Single Workshops
$2,500 (1-1.5 hours)
$3,000 (2 hours)
$5,000 (4 hours-half day)
Workshop Series
$4,500 for two 1.5 hour workshops
$7,000 for three 1.5 hour workshops
Inside OUt
We provide space for firework hearts and rivers of expression. Replace shame with revolutionary celebration.
Our cups are filled with joy.
The joy of release and elation and the joy of naming the complex parts.
Watch as we shed and are reborn in light.
May our collective healing leave seeds along our path and birth inspiration.
Our existence is saving lives.
Watch us close our eyes in rest. Claim it for those forced away.
Copy our dedication to me, we, you, us. In community.
In service of ourselves and others.
We commit to radical care, to shouting, to being sledge- hammer loud.
Remembering to hold each other in grace and humanity.
We believe in the work.
We believe in this community. We believe inside and out of us.
“Ashley and the poetry community she collaborates with truly inspires all who come in contact to be free through self-expression. It is an inclusive community that is a light of Colorado springs & beyond”
Eloisa Lynch
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but the words of Ashley Cornelius have healed me”
Ashley Dodge
Inside Out Youth Services
Inside Out Youth Services is an incredible organization serving LGBTQIA2+ youth in Colorado Springs. I have had the honor to work with the youth, doing poetry in a variety of ways over the years. I was invited to the staff retreat and worked with Inside Out staff. I hosted a poetry workshop, and throughout the session, I gathered some of the staff’s phrasing and quotes and created a poem at the end of the workshop. This poem “Inside Out” is the culmination of my work with Inside Out employees, and it bears witness to their heart, passion, and drive.
- The arts help people succeed. Low- income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate college than their peers with no arts education.
- The arts make young adults more civically engaged. Seventy-eight percent of young adults who had arts-rich experiences were more likely to vote or participate in a political campaign.
- Creative writing offers physical benefits to those battling terminal diseases. HIV positive patients show a strengthened immune level after just 30 minutes of writing.Similar results were found with asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hepatitis B patients.
Gathered from Americans from the Arts
use the Power of Poetry
Join the revolution of poetry and joy with me! Step into a world where words heal, empower, and inspire. Your support fuels creativity, amplifies marginalized voices, and sparks change. Be part of this transformative movement—engage, listen, and let poetry guide us forward!
Can the workshop be customized for our group or event?
Yes! I work with you to understand your goals and tailor the content to fit your group’s dynamic. Whether it’s for personal growth, team building, or creative expression, I’ll adjust the activities and themes to align with your objectives.
How can I pay for the booking?
I accept payments via credit card, debit card, and online payment platforms. A deposit may be required to secure your booking, with the remaining balance due before the event.
What is the group size limit for a poetry workshop?
Workshops can accommodate various group sizes, from intimate sessions with 5-10 participants to larger groups of up to 50. For larger groups, I may incorporate breakout sessions to ensure personalized engagement.
What materials or equipment are needed for the workshop?
Participants typically need writing materials like notebooks and pens, but I can provide these if necessary. For larger groups or virtual workshops, I may require access to projectors, sound systems, or video conferencing platforms, which will be discussed during booking.
How far in advance should I book a poetry workshop?
I recommend booking at least 3-4 weeks in advance to ensure availability and allow time for customization. For larger or more complex events, earlier booking is encouraged to ensure I meet all your needs.