EMILY GWINN – Poet –
© Marshall E. Peterson Jr.
Bio: Emily recently fulfilled her goal of returning to Spokane. She taught high school English and journalism in Yakima, Washington for seven years and is the former recipient of the Tom Pier Prize in poetry. In August, she represented Spokane at the 2014 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California.
Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please…
I had the pleasure of participating in PorchFest last year, and was thrilled to be invited back. The event was an incredible experience, and my family had a fabulous time biking from porch to porch and meeting new friends in the West Central neighborhood. This is an event for everyone to enjoy, and whether you find yourself on one porch or four, you will be sure to have a great time.
My family has lived in the West Central neighborhood for over a year, and we love the proximity to downtown, the river, and the Centennial Trail. Our neighbors are incredible, and the sense of community here is what draws people in. I love that PorchFest highlights this unique Spokane neighborhood and I can’t wait to meet more friends this year.
A community is a collection of people motivated to make the world a better place. I believe in the community of West Central. Since the day my family moved into the neighborhood, strangers opened up their doors (and pantries) and made us feel welcomed. A community does just that – it ensures that strangers are fast friends and that people aren’t displaced for long. A community is there support the collective, with each person using their own unique skills and talents to benefit the greater good. To build a community there needs to be people willing to extend themselves – their time, energy, and talents. I believe that in Spokane there is a focus on building strong communities, and you can see that at events like PorchFest.
Simply be ready to relax, unwind, and enjoy the end of summer with friends. Try and visit as many porches as you can, if only to meet as many people as possible.