I am a Brazilian-Canadian poet, community-engaged artist,
and creative placemaker dedicated to using the tools of creative writing
and storytelling as catalysts for social change and climate action.
Who do I teach?
From K-12 students to senior citizens, I enjoy equipping groups of all ages to develop personal voice, write with confidence, engage with literature, and share their stories, opinions, and ideas for public audiences---on stage, on the page, and in public spaces.
"Alyssa exudes warmth and excitement as an educator. Alongside the students she learns with and from, she generates a safe container for imagination to flow. She makes poetry more accessible, and for that reason, everyone leaves feeling a little bit more curious."
—Heather Prost, Head Facilitator & Regional Lead Western Canada at DAREarts
— Name, Title
Publications
Literature Pop-Ups
In Public Spaces
Poetry at Trout Lake
An audio tour as part of the 2021 Car Free Vancouver Festival, which encourages Vancouver residents to explore the neighbourhood of East Van by walking and listening to stories. My portion of the audio tour invites audiences to connect to the land through observational poetry.
September, 2021
ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਯਾਦਾਂ:
Our Memories
A ground mural reflecting the written and oral stories shared by ten storytellers—Darshan Sangha, Harjinder Grewal, Harvinder Aulakh, Kanta Kalia, Kulwant Shoker, Manjit Jugpal, Paramjit Kalkat, Ravinder Hundal, Shanti Devi Toor, and Suminder Gill—as part of a creative writing and oral storytelling project at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre.
Project Co-Developed with Muralist
June, 2021
A Pencil's Lead
A printable zine featured at the Supercharged exhibit at Audain Gallery (Vancouver, BC)
April, 2021
A Poetic Landscape
A reflective and participatory poetry installation at Library Park (UBC) as part of BC Culture Days (Vancouver, BC)
September, 2019
ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਯਾਦਾਂ:
Our Memories
An anthology of poetry and memoir writing by older Punjabi women recounting experiences of immigration, resilience, food and cultural traditions, family, and everything in between.
Publisher:
Arts & Health: Healthy Aging Through the Arts (2021)
Editor + Lead Project Facilitator:
Alyssa Martens
Blog
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