13th Annual Culturama at Mt. SAC

Do you want to learn how your favorite stories and poems made you fall in love? What about making beautiful art that expresses everything you've ever wanted but didn't know how?

Culturama is all about bringing people together. Every fall, Mt. SAC invites students, writers, and artists of all ages to attend fun, interactive workshops and other activities to celebrate and create stories, poems, arts and crafts. Learn from professional artists, writers, and professors, and meet people with the same creative spark that lives in you.

Culturama is free to attend, and we will provide complimentary lunch and snacks. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, we invite you to register for Culturama through Eventbrite and, if possible, make a small donation to Mt. SAC's student support services.

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS (THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH, AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH)

In-Person Workshops will take place on the Mt. SAC campus. For the specific location on campus of a workshop you plan to attend, go to Culturama's webpage.

We have an interactive map of the Mt. SAC campus that you can access on a smartphone. For visitors to Mt. SAC, one-day parking costs $5. The Mt. SAC website has a webpage with information about parking on campus.

If you’re new to or unfamiliar with our campus, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Mt. SAC’s campus is large and hilly. We also suggest keeping your belongings with you at all times. There will be classes and other events occurring on campus.

ONLINE ZOOM WORKSHOPS (SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH)

We will have more writing and art workshops throughout the day on Saturday, November 7th. These workshops will all take place online on Zoom. Zoom links for these workshops will be posted once the workshop scheduled has been finalized this summer/fall.

If you have any questions or would like to request an accommodation, contact Culturama coordinators Lloyd Aquino at laquino@mtsac.edu or Melissa Macias at mmacias75@mtsac.edu.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, October 29th @ Mt. SAC

1:00 - 2:00 PM

3rd Annual Cosplay Contest

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

Our Cosplay Contest is open to all ages. Come dressed as your favorite character and show off your cosplay aesthetic. You could even win prizes in these categories: Purchased Cosplay, Plainclothes Cosplay, and Constructed Cosplay! Register for the Cosplay Contest at www.mtsac.edu/culturama.

Thursday, November 5th @ Mt. SAC

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Creating Poetry Broadsides with Robert Piluso and Lloyd Aquino

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

Blending images and words is one of the funnest and most rewarding ways of unlocking your creativity. Professor and poet Lloyd Aquino (Once It's Over) and writer-illustrator Robert Piluso (Gangster Bat) will guide students through the process of creating a poetry broadside: write a poem, then create a visual image to pair with your poem. Poetry broadsides are great ways to show off your poetry, and can even make beautiful gifts for your family, friends, and loved ones.

BIO: Robert Piluso, M.A., M.F.A., is a Professor of English at Mt. San Antonio College where he teaches composition, literature, mythology, cinema, and fiction writing. Piluso is the author of the non-fiction book Happiness Gains which recounts his recovery from a sudden-onset disability, and all the inspiration and motivation for appreciating daily life he learned along the way. He earned his advanced degrees from C.S.U. Fullerton in English and University of Southern California in Writing for Screen and Television. Piluso's independent comic series Redemptor, Señor Zorro, and Gangster Bat have all debuted on the best-selling list of Graphic Novel Adaptations on Amazon. Prior publications include over a decade of entertainment journalism and film criticism at Script Magazine, a chapter in The Essential Sopranos Reader (University of Kentucky Press), The Chaffey Review, and Dash. He lives with his wife Dani Gomez and daughter Madelyn in Southern California.

Lloyd Aquino is a Professor of English at Mt. San Antonio College. He teaches composition, literature, and creative writing - poetry. He has published several poetry collections: Madeline After the Fall, Concrete’s Song, and Once It’s Over.

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Poetry-Rama with Lloyd Aquino

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

Looking for ideas and writing exercises to inspire you to create amazing poetry? Professor and poet Lloyd Aquino will lead students through a series of short writing prompts to unlock your poet’s voice, get the eloquence flowing, and overcome any future bouts of writer’s block.

BIO: Lloyd Aquino is a Professor of English at Mt. San Antonio College. He teaches composition, literature, and creative writing - poetry. He has published several poetry collections: Madeline After the Fall, Concrete’s Song, and Once It’s Over.

Friday, November 6th @ Mt. SAC

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome to Culturama with Lloyd Aquino

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

Start the morning off by enjoying some complimentary continental breakfast, getting to know your Culturama hosts and fellow attendees, and setting some goals for your day at Culturama.

9:00 AM - 10:20 AM

“Persona Poems: Stepping into Another Skin” with K. Andrew Turner

Location: TBA

In this generative workshop, writers explore the power of persona—writing in the voice of someone (or something) other than themselves. Participants will learn how embodying a fictional, historical, or imagined perspective can expand creative possibilities and deepen empathy. Through examples, discussion, and guided writing prompts, you'll craft your own persona poem and leave with tools to keep experimenting with voice and identity.

BIO:  K. Andrew Turner writes queer, literary and speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in stolen weekday moments. In 2013, he founded East Jasmine Review—an electronic literary journal, with a focus on publishing diverse writers. He was a semifinalist for the 2016 Luminaire Award in poetry. His full-length poetry collection Heart, Mind, Blood, Skin is now available from Finishing Line Press. He also has a chapbook, “Gymlationship” from Arroyo Seco Press His work has also appeared in Chiron Review, LUMMOX, Carnival Literary, Sadie Girl Press, MUSE, Redshift, and other publications and anthologies. Find more at www.kandrewturner.com or follow him on X/Instagram/BlueSky @kandrewturner.

9:00 - 10:20 AM

Creative Writing Workshop with Augie Scott-Hicks

Location: TBA

Workshop Description: Coming Soon

Bio: Coming Soon

9:00 - 10:20 AM

Part I-Creation, Commentary & Curation Art Workshop with Melissa Macias and Phoebe Millerwhite

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

This two-part workshop explores communication and personal identity through visual art production and art writing, touching on ideas of production and exhibition (museum and gallery). Part 1 will focus on creation of work. Part 2 will focus on art writing and curation, which will culminate in a demonstration of how space is curated in a mini gallery show at lunch. Recommended (not required) enrollment in both Part I and Part II. Materials are provided for the first 25 students.

Bios: Melissa Macias is a practicing artist and professor at Mt. San Antonio College, where she currently serves as the Mt. SAC Art Club advisor.  She received her BA and MFA from California State University, Long Beach.  Her personal work explores ideas of memory and mythmaking through mixed media and installation.

Phoebe Millerwhite is an artist, writer, and educator based in Southern California. She was the director and curator of the Diana Berger Gallery at Mt. SAC (2022-23) and continues to teach in the museum and gallery certificate program.  Phoebe holds a BA in Literature and Creative Writing from Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, New York, and an MA in Folklore with an emphasis in Material Culture and Folk Art from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. For over a decade Phoebe has specialized in arts education and championing the work of self-taught artists (also known as folk or “outsider” artists). Her ceramic sculptural work draws inspiration from myths, legends, and – always – a deep love of narrative.

10:30 - 11:50 AM

Getting the Word Out: Understanding Publicity in the Literary World with Monica Fernandez

Location: TBA

Whether you just published a book, or you're just starting to write, learn more about the publishing industry and process, and get some tips and tricks on how to market your work and yourself within the literary community to become a great literary citizen! You'll learn best practices, social media tips, and get a chance to create your own publicity plan and write mini-pitches for yourself and your work.

BIO: Monica Fernandez (she/her) is the Media Director at Red Hen Press. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine cum laude with a BA in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing, and from City University London with a MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. She has had several short fiction and creative nonfiction pieces published in The Chaffey Review, Rind Literary Magazine, Scribendi, The Left Coast Review, Creepy Gnome, and Pure Slush Magazine’s Envy anthology. She is Filipino-American and a film and theatre enthusiast.

10:30 - 11:50 AM

“How To Perform Poetry” with K. Andrew Turner

Location: TBA

Poetry isn't just meant to be read—it’s meant to be felt. In How to Perform Poetry, you'll learn to bring your words to life with presence, power, and purpose. Whether you're stepping onto a stage for the first time or looking to refine your delivery, this class guides you through the essentials of voice, movement, and emotional connection. Through practical exercises, peer feedback, and performance techniques, you’ll gain the confidence to turn your poems into unforgettable experiences.

BIO:  K. Andrew Turner writes queer, literary and speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in stolen weekday moments. In 2013, he founded East Jasmine Review—an electronic literary journal, with a focus on publishing diverse writers. He was a semifinalist for the 2016 Luminaire Award in poetry. His full-length poetry collection Heart, Mind, Blood, Skin is now available from Finishing Line Press. He also has a chapbook, “Gymlationship” from Arroyo Seco Press His work has also appeared in Chiron Review, LUMMOX, Carnival Literary, Sadie Girl Press, MUSE, Redshift, and other publications and anthologies. Find more at www.kandrewturner.com or follow him on X/Instagram/BlueSky @kandrewturner.

10:30 - 11:50 AM

Part II-Creation, Commentary & Curation with Melissa Macias and Phoebe Millerwhite

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

This two-part workshop explores communication and personal identity through visual art production and art writing, touching on ideas of production and exhibition (museum and gallery). Part 1 will focus on creation of work. Part 2 will focus on art writing and curation, which will culminate in a demonstration of how space is curated in a mini gallery show at lunch. Recommended (not required) enrollment in both Part I and Part II. Materials are provided for the first 25 students.

Bios: Melissa Macias is a practicing artist and professor at Mt. San Antonio College, where she currently serves as the Mt. SAC Art Club advisor.  She received her BA and MFA from California State University, Long Beach.  Her personal work explores ideas of memory and mythmaking through mixed media and installation.

Phoebe Millerwhite is an artist, writer, and educator based in Southern California. She was the director and curator of the Diana Berger Gallery at Mt. SAC (2022-23) and continues to teach in the museum and gallery certificate program.  Phoebe holds a BA in Literature and Creative Writing from Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, New York, and an MA in Folklore with an emphasis in Material Culture and Folk Art from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. For over a decade Phoebe has specialized in arts education and championing the work of self-taught artists (also known as folk or “outsider” artists). Her ceramic sculptural work draws inspiration from myths, legends, and – always – a deep love of narrative.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

LUNCH

Location: Multicultural Center Patio (Student Center, Building 410, Room 2030)

1:00 - 2:20 PM

Flash Fiction Workshop with Francesca Terzano

Location: TBA

Tell your next story in 1000 words or less! This workshop focuses on flash fiction with a narrative that balances character and plot. This can span any genre of fiction, such as science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, and many more, including non-fiction flash stories. Come join this fun workshop to learn a variety of skills to craft short yet deep narratives.

BIO: Coming Soon

1:00 - 2:20 PM

“Asian Story Structures: Expand Your Possibilities” with Yi Shun Lai

Location: TBA

In this class, students will learn about story structures beyond what we usually have access to. We'll study the four-act, nested, and circular story structures, and use them to take our stories in directions we may never have foreseen.

Bio: Yi Shun Lai is the author of three books, the latest of which is A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic (Simon & Schuster).

2:30 - 3:50 PM

"Inspiration for Creativity: First Steps to Higher Gains in Writing, Art, and Life" with Robert Piluso

Location: TBA

Awestruck smile across your face after having read a great story, or seen a great work of art, have you ever wondered, "How did they come up with that?!" Sometimes one of the greatest obstacles to creativity is taking that first step. In this workshop designed for writers and artists of all genres and experience levels, author and professor Robert Piluso reveals the secrets to unlocking your natural born creativity through guided exercises and empowering strategies for success. Including selections from Piluso's new, health mindset book HAPPINESS GAINS, in whatever direction of your life you would like to get inspired, this workshop will get you hyped and confident to embark on the hero's path to higher creativity and joy in your daily life you know you deserve.

BIO: Robert Piluso, M.A., M.F.A., is a Professor of English at Mt. San Antonio College where he teaches composition, literature, mythology, cinema, and fiction writing. Piluso is the author of the non-fiction book Happiness Gains which recounts his recovery from a sudden-onset disability, and all the inspiration and motivation for appreciating daily life he learned along the way. He earned his advanced degrees from C.S.U. Fullerton in English and University of Southern California in Writing for Screen and Television. Piluso's independent comic series Redemptor, Señor Zorro, and Gangster Bat have all debuted on the best-selling list of Graphic Novel Adaptations on Amazon. Prior publications include over a decade of entertainment journalism and film criticism at Script Magazine, a chapter in The Essential Sopranos Reader (University of Kentucky Press), The Chaffey Review, and Dash. He lives with his wife Dani Gomez and daughter Madelyn in Southern California.

2:30 - 3:50 PM

Artistic Time Signatures with Bill Cushing

Location: TBA

Join us for an open mic poetry reading accompanied by live music and visual artists “documenting” the event in real time. The hosts (Notes and Letters) will present segments of the duo’s original work.

BIOS: Coming Soon

2:30 - 3:50 PM

“I Hate Writing About Me: Conquering The Personal Essay” with Yi Shun Lai

For students--or anyone!--applying to grants and scholarships can be a terrifying prospect. The personal essay is often the worst part. In this workshop, students will learn tried-and-true techniques to write a personal essay that reflects you. Yi Shun is a former fellowships advisor who has coached students to wins in national and international fellowships competitions.

Bio: Yi Shun Lai is the author of three books, the latest of which is A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic (Simon & Schuster).

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Memorial for John Brantingham

Location: Building 410 (Student Center), Multicultural Center (Room 2030, 2nd Floor)

Earlier this year, we lost the brilliant, kind, and influential John Brantingham, who taught English composition, Honors, and creative writing fiction and poetry classes at Mt. SAC. John founded what is now known as Culturama, working with the strongest dedication to create a vibrant and welcoming creative community on and around our campus, and we miss him dearly. We invite you to attend this memorial and share your memories and written work about John as we celebrate the tremendous impact he has had on all our lives.

Saturday, November 8th online on Zoom

9:00 - 10:20 AM

“Working From Memory” with Tim Hatch

Zoom link: Coming soon

In this workshop we'll focus on exploring a strong, specific memory from some point in the past (this memory can be happy, sad, or something else entirely (just so long as it's a strong memory we can recall vividly)), mining it for images, sensory and emotional detail, and then turning that into a poem. There will be some discussion about the importance of the literal truth and when it should be set aside for the benefit of our writing.

Bio: Tim Hatch writes poetry that explores themes of abuse, fragility, and our human obligation to one another.  He earned his MFA at Cal State San Bernardino, and his poetry has appeared in East Jasmine Review, The Vehicle, Touch: The Journal of Healing, Apeiron Review, Cholla Needles, and Inlandia: A Literary Journey.  He teaches composition at more colleges than you can shake a stick at, and he lives in Ontario with his wife, and two passive-aggressive dogs.  His eBook series, My Bariatric Year, has two volumes currently for sale wherever eBooks are sold, and his collection of poetry, Wild Embrace, can be purchased in hardcopy form from Bamboo Dart Press (www.bamboodartpress.com (http://www.bamboodartpress.com/)).

10:30 - 11:50 AM

“Eco-poetry, or writing beyond ‘ah trees’” with Stephanie Barbė Hammer

Zoom link: Coming soon

What if nature wasn’t our friend? Join this class for some generative prompts where we try to think past the “nature renews us” tropes. We’ll read some weird poems and use them to inspire us to – who knows? – write about garbage.

Bio: Stephanie Barbé Hammer is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, and poet, who taught for many years at UC Riverside. Her most recent titles are The Warbler School Chronicles (magical realist fiction) and City Slicker: encounters with the outside (poetry). both with Bamboo Dart Press. She lives on the Central Coast of California and walks and takes the bus most places.

1:00 - 2:20 PM

“What the heck is magical realism and how do I write it?” with Stephanie Barbė Hammer

Zoom link: Coming soon

Interested in stories that have a touch of weirdness to them, but aren’t fantasy creations of a whole different world on a different planet or plane of existence? This generative writing class will take you through 1-2 writing prompts to create the beginning of a magical realist story. We’ll read a couple of examples to help us get started. You might come away with a rough draft you can revise later.

Bio: Stephanie Barbé Hammer is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, and poet, who taught for many years at UC Riverside. Her most recent titles are The Warbler School Chronicles (magical realist fiction) and City Slicker: encounters with the outside (poetry). both with Bamboo Dart Press. She lives on the Central Coast of California and walks and takes the bus most places.

1:00 - 2:20 PM

“Artist Talk Mount Holly Mosaic Project” with Tom Thoune

Zoom link: https://mtsac-edu.zoom.us/j/83682864215

Workshop Description: Artist Tom Thoune discusses his recent body of mosaic work.

Bio: Tom is a North Carolina multimedia artist, sculptor and painter. His work spans over 30 years and includes large and small mosaic installations, commissioned paintings and portraits, public art and teaching. Originally from a beach community in Southern California, he moved to Charlotte in his early 20s.

2:30 - 3:50 PM

“Novel Workshop: Obsession To Outline” with Michaelsun Knapp

Zoom link: Coming soon

Learn to combine and transform your fascinations and interests into (1) an outline for a novel or novella with (2) some light character sketches.

Bio: Coming soon

2:30 - 3:50 PM

“Making Space in Illustration” with Chris Troutman

Zoom link: https://mtsac-edu.zoom.us/j/83682864215

In this workshop, we will study basic methods for creating depth (such as overlapping and relative position), as well as advanced methods (5-point perspective), demonstrated through illustrational drawing.

Bio: Christopher Troutman is an artist located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. He grew up in the Midwest, United States, graduated from Bradley University in 2003, followed by California State University, Long Beach in 2008, after which he began teaching studio art, drawing and painting, full time.  He earned tenure in 2019 at Lamar University and then relocated to Japan in 2024, after teaching university art for 16 years.  Now, Troutman is focused on his studio practice and teaching online.

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Memorial for John Brantingham

Zoom Link: https://mtsac-edu.zoom.us/j/6777468613

Earlier this year, we lost the brilliant, kind, and influential John Brantingham, who taught English composition, Honors, and creative writing fiction and poetry classes at Mt. SAC. John founded what is now known as Culturama, working with the strongest dedication to create a vibrant and welcoming creative community on and around our campus, and we miss him dearly. We invite you to attend this memorial and share your memories and written work about John as we celebrate the tremendous impact he has had on all our lives.