Melissa “Miz Spoke” Spokane
melissa_spokane.ca | www.instagram.com/mizspoke
Summary
I am Miz Spoke, a slam poet and linocut printer from Fictionville, Saskatchewan. The opportunities and audiences for slam poetry are limited in my hometown, so I relocated to Saskatoon to study and work with a larger pool of artists, perform in larger venues, and have access to opportunities I didn’t have before. I returned home and co-founded a youth slam group to build up our local slam scene and raise awareness of this artform. I am passionate about the art of spoken word and enjoy mentoring and coaching youth to be the next generation of slam artists. I am currently working on my first poetry zine illustrated with my linocuts.
As a performance-based artist, I need to compete and watch other slam poets to develop my practice. The slam scene in my town is still developing, and the performance venues are mainly coffee shops and bars. I regularly visit and perform in communities with established spoken word scenes and larger audiences. However, my background competing in larger cities like Saskatoon and Vancouver means that I am more experienced than most of the other slam poets in my community, which makes it harder for me to evolve. I am inspired by watching other slam poets, which feeds into the work I do with young artists. My goal is that one day, slam artists won’t have to leave my town to find greater opportunities.
Arts and cultural training and learning
| Mar.–Jun. 2020 |
Self-taught linocutting techniques by watching YouTube videos |
| Sept. 2015–19 |
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Art, Saskatoon, Sask. |
| Sept. 2014 |
SLAM 101, workshop led by Ben “Versez” Jones, Fictionville Public Library, Fictionville, Sask. |
Selected artistic and cultural work presented to the public
| Oct. 2023 |
Spitfire Verses (upcoming), a self-published zine with poems and linocuts by Miz Spoke, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Feb. 2022 |
Imprint, group exhibition, curated by Annie Inky, Print Gallery, Regina, Sask. Paid an artist fee. |
| Jan. 2015–present |
Participation in over 60 slam poetry competitions and spoken word events throughout western Canada, in venues ranging from coffee houses to concert halls. |
Artists and community collaboration activities
| Apr. 2021 |
Facilitator, “Word on the Street” sidewalk chalk poetry interventions on the theme of bullying. A month-long collaboration with high school students in partnership with Community Mental Health Services, Fictionville, Sask. |
Arts and cultural work experience
| Oct. 2021–present |
Organizer and host, “Speak Your Mind” monthly slam poetry series, The Coffee Shop, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Jan. 2021–present |
Studio Coordinator, Printmaking Coop, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Feb. 2020–present |
Co-organizer and Coach, Fictionville Youth Slam group, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Jan.–Apr. 2019 |
Community Art Coordinator, Saskatoon 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Art Alliance, Saskatoon, Sask. |
| May–Aug. 2014 |
Summer Student Intern, Arts and Culture Centre, Fictionville, Sask. |
Teaching and mentorships
| Sept. 2022 |
Taught a lincocutting workshop at the Fictionville Farmer’s Market, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Sept.–Dec. 2022 |
Led monthly youth slam workshops, Fictionville Public Library, Fictionville, Sask. |
Volunteer experience
| Oct.–Nov. 2023 |
Social Media Coordinator, SK Slam Poetry Project, Saskatoon, Sask |
Residencies
| Oct.–Nov. 2023 |
Emerging Writers Residency: Poetry (upcoming), Banff Centre, Banff, Alta. |
| Sept.–Nov. 2021 |
Artist Residency (virtual), Fictionville High School, Fictionville, Sask. |
Artist talks, presentations and articles
| Feb. 17, 2022 |
Artist talk, Print Gallery, Regina, Sask. Received an artist fee |
| Oct. 13, 2021 |
Talked to students about slam poetry, Fictionville High School, Fictionville, Sask. |
| Apr. 22, 2021 |
Published an item on the Fictionville High School student blog describing my process for creating slam poetry |
Awards and community recognition
| Oct. 2022 |
Community Arts Award, presented by Fictionville Gazette, Fictionville, Sask. |
| May 2015 |
Youth Slam Champion, Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, Regina, Sask. |
Assessment and adjudication
| Nov. 2021 |
Selection Committee Member, Fictionville Public Library Art Gallery, Fictionville, Sask. |
Media coverage
| Oct. 22, 2022 |
“SLAMtastic: The poetry of Miz Spoke,” an article about my work by Jane Wordsmith for the Fictionville Gazette, www.fictionvillegazette.ca/slamtastic |
| Apr. 20, 2021 |
Interview about my community-engaged Slam activities with youth, by Nileeka Singh for the “Fictionville Community Happenings” podcast series |
Memberships and affiliations
| Jan. 2022–present |
Member, Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) |
| Feb. 2020–present |
Co-founder, Fictionville Youth Slam group |
| Jan. 2019–present |
Member, Saskatoon 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Art Alliance |
