Mirror Stage is launching a series of multimodal arts experiences
which will allow participants to take a deep dive into themes relevant to our upcoming productions
of Expand Upon: INCOME INEQUALITY in October 2022 and Chagrin Falls in 2023.
Contexpo events include visual art, spoken word, special speakers, and workshops.
All Contexpo events are free to the public.
Come join the conversation as a guest or an artist.
Contexpo: Incarceration and Redemption kicks off on Friday, June 24 at 6:00pm
with an Incarceration and Redemption art exhibit reception on the 3rd Floor of The Phinney Center.
Following the opening reception, Mirror Stage is presenting an open mic Poetry Slam on Friday, June 24 at 7:00pm hosted by legendary poet, Miz Floes, which will also be live-streamed on Mirror Stage’s YouTube channel. Miz Floes will share pieces throughout the night, and all poets and spoken word artists are invited to participate by presenting pieces that explore the concepts of incarceration and redemption—whatever that means to them.
Doors open at 6:00 pm for the art exhibit reception before the Slam begins at 7:00 pm; poets are welcome to attend the art exhibit and sign up to perform when they arrive. This is an all-ages event, and any age may participate.
Miz Floes is a vocalist, author, producer, playwright, actress, and spoken word artist living in Seattle. She grew up in inner-city Chicago surrounded by violence and poverty, and credits the literary arts for saving her. As a woman, mother, grandmother, and member of the BIPOC community, Floes seeks to transform pain into art and productively release it back into the community. Her newest volume of poetry will be released soon.
You may have heard stories about tragic outcomes related to the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
On Saturday, June 25 at 4:00pm, Omari Amili introduces new possibilities and challenges fear-based narratives through his exploration of a potential new pipeline that runs from prison to college in his talk “Life After Prison: the Prison to School Pipeline.”
While sharing his story and exploring the history of mass incarceration, especially in Washington State, Omari explores how society as a whole benefits when people pursue higher education after incarceration.
Omari Amili (he/him) is an author, speaker, and community organizer. Since his release from prison in 2008, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Washington Tacoma, where his research focused on the benefits of college education for formerly incarcerated people. In 2018, he was named a Distinguished Alumni by Pierce College, and has been featured in the Seattle Times and the News Tribune.
Contexpo: Incarceration and Redemption is being presented in partnership
with the Phinney Neighborhood Association and will take place
on the top floor of the Phinney Center Blue Building, located at 6532 Phinney Ave N in Seattle.