Creative Writing Professor 'Very Proud' of Graduating Class; Virtual Showcase Displays Their Hard Work With Capstone Excerpts

Although graduating Creative Writing students found themselves physically distant at the completion of their capstone projects, a virtual showcase highlights the results of a semester full of close bonds that were formed during their imaginative journeys. 

"Celebrating the Writer's Voice" is Creative Writing's digital showcase debut, and features the work of seven graduating students, who use video and audio mediums to present excerpts of their capstone projects. Presentations went live April 21 on the Creative Writing blog, and on the BathHouse Facebook page

Creative Writing Professor Christine Hume said the program usually hosts an in-person Capstone Showcase to celebrate graduating majors and their work. 

“Friends, family, and other Creative Writing students attend this event — and Capstone students work all semester to set up the event exactly as they would like it,” Hume said. “Obviously, this year all their work toward creating an event had to be scrapped, but they finished with incredible integrity and imaginative resourcefulness.”

The students worked all semester on a project of their own design, she said. “I’m very proud of this class; I’ve worked with every one of the students in other classes and they’ve all come a long way.” 

Each featured project displays its own kind of brilliance, she said. 

“Though their works/styles/approaches are very different, the respect they had for one another — in the classroom and virtually — was always palpable.”

Creative Writing students who participated and the work they presented for the showcase include:

 

A dock peeks out onto a small lake or pond in front of a small red house on a grassy hill.
"Too Many Projects and Not Enough Time: A Writer’s Story"
A dock peeks out onto a small lake or pond in front of a small red house on a grassy hill.

"Too Many Projects and Not Enough Time: A Writer’s Story"

Joel Miller

"Anxious and Autistic"

Joel Miller reads two sections, which he hasn’t shared with his class yet, from his Capstone Project, Anxious and Autistic. In his own words: “I’m a creative writing major, with a film minor, and as you can guess, I’m on the spectrum. After college, I want to start writing a young adult series.”


A white person whose face is hidden is wearing a long-sleeved black Tshirt holds a white mask behind their back.
"Mirror of Freedom"
A white person whose face is hidden is wearing a long-sleeved black Tshirt holds a white mask behind their back.

"Mirror of Freedom"

Sierra Brocklehurst

"Too Many Projects and Not Enough Time: A Writer’s Story"

Brocklehurst is a third-year student majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Electronic Media and Film Studies, and aims to pursue a career as a writer for Cartoon Network Studios.

“This is a hybrid work of narrative, prose, and poetry addressing the nature of writing from a fictional university student’s point of view,” Brocklehurst said.


A collage of paintings from Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi.
"Tenebrism"
A collage of paintings from Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi.

"Tenebrism"

Shayla Harris

"Mirror of Freedom"

Harris is a double major in Creative Writing and Arts and Entertainment Management. She is an African American woman and Christian who uses poetry to reflect on identity, and she plans to continue writing and travel the world performing after graduation, as well as go full course into artist management.

This capstone project is a collection of poems, sound poems, and performances about the “journey of finding freedom by looking at myself in the mirror.”


Ronea Bailey

"Sinking In Deeply"

“My capstone project, Sinking In Deeply, is a work of a memoir with a hint of fiction exploring the journey of my writing as a black woman and my struggles with identity. I am a Creative Writing major with a minor in Psychology. My plan after I graduate is to develop a writing program for young kids to be able to express themselves. My goal for my writing is for young African American kids to have characters who they are able to identify with.”


Marie Williamson

"Tenebrism"

Marie is a Creative Writing major with a double minor in Art History and Literature. Ekphrasis has allowed her to combine two passions: Italian Renaissance and Baroque art with poetry.

The Capstone Project is ekphrastic poetry inspired by the famous Judith paintings of the Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi. 

“I like my poetry to experiment and respond to the feelings one has when seeing these artworks. I have had the privilege to travel to Italy for two study abroad trips, and I was able to see many of the artworks that inspire me to write,” she said. “In the fall, I will be continuing my Creative Writing education at Eastern as a graduate student in the Creative Writing MA program. I will also be a graduate assistant in the Department of English Language and Literature.”


A green graphic drawing of a person's profile with a purple background.
"We've Got Personality"
A green graphic drawing of a person's profile with a purple background.

"We've Got Personality"

Cinder Seitz

"We’ve Got Personality"

Cinder is a Creative Writing Major. They are nonbinary and use their writing to explore their gender however it seems to manifests itself. While they’re still not sure what they’ll do after graduation, they do know– writing and creating. 

Cinder is reading their Capstone Project “We’ve Got Personality,” a work of prose poetry using the language of advertising to explore queer identity.


Feminine items are strewn across a table, includig a balerina music box, lace veil and a rose.
"The Blacker the Berry the Deeper Her Blues"
Feminine items are strewn across a table, includig a balerina music box, lace veil and a rose.

"The Blacker the Berry the Deeper Her Blues"

Tatiaira Herndon

"The Blacker the Berry the Deeper Her Blues"

Tatiaira Herndon is currently completing her final credit at Eastern Michigan, and will graduate with a major in creative writing and a minor in communications. 

“For my Capstone Project,” she said, “I have created a series of structureless poetry that addresses the issues surrounding and experiences of the black woman. It is a rather personal piece, however, I plan to further develop my work after graduating and incorporate the voices of other black women. I plan to eventually have this piece published in hard copy and electronically. My post-graduation plans mostly consist of getting my voice out there and pursuing a career that pertains to my major.”


More on the Creative Writing Program

The Creative Writing Program enables students to participate vigorously and innovatively in contemporary writing culture while preparing them for a range of language and media-centered careers. Both the major and minor emphasize experimentation through the exploration of poetry, fiction, hybrid genres and multimedia literature. 

Through the Creative Writing Program’s BathHouse Events Series, as well as classroom visits and specialized workshops, students enter into dialogue with acclaimed local, national, and international authors. Upon arriving at the major’s culminating Capstone, students will be prepared to complete a sustained long work which they will present at a final Creative Writing Capstone Showcase before graduating.