How do you identify what works in a poem? What makes a poem memorable? How you begin the unending journey of curating your voice and inner life to write deeply felt and moving poems? How do you grasp technique? How about being guided in these by one of the finest poets on the continent?

Brunel Prize 2016 winner Gbenga Adesina will be teaching a poetry masterclass sponsored by Goethe-Institut Nigeria. The event, which is free, will be held on Thursday, 12th July, at 12 PM.

In an email to Brittle Paper, Adesina, who is currently a Starworks Poetry Fellow at New York University where he also teaches Undergraduate Creative Writing, explained that “the class will examine models in poetry canons and anthologies for craft lessons, and there’ll be writing exercises to put those lessons to use.” Participants will further be introduced to foundational elements of excellent poetry. Crucially, there will be poetry materials. And light refreshment.

While the event is open to everyone interested, there are limited seats at the venue. Prospective participants are to preregister and confirm their attendance. To do so, send your name to this mobile number: +2348068204883.

Gbenga Adesina’s poem, “How To Paint A Girl,” was selected by Mathew Zapruder for The New York Times, and was shortlisted for the inaugural Brittle Paper Award for Poetry in 2017. His poetry chapbook, Painter of Water (Akashic Books, 2016), was published in the New Generation African Poets Box Set edited by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani. His poetry manuscript, Holy Bodies, was a finalist for the 2017 Sillerman First Book Prize. Adesina received the 2018 Hugh J. Luke Award from Prairie Schooner as well as scholarships and residencies from the Open Society Foundation on Goree Island, Senegal; Norman Mailer Poetry Center at Pepperdine University, Malibu, California; Fine Arts Work Centre, Provincetown; Callaloo at Oxford, among others.

Here are the event details:

DATE: Thursday, 12th July.

TIME: 12 PM.

VENUE: Lagos City Hall, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.

TO ATTEND: send your name to +2348068204883.

Three days after the masterclass, Gbenga Adesina will be in conversation with Kechi Nomu at Angels & Muse, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Be there!