Welcomes new students into Jimenez-Porter Writers' House, a literary center for the study of creative writing across cultures and languages, and helps them to understand, develop and write their own artist statement (aka Artist Manifesto). Students will explore the creative and intellectual traditions of our community, their craft and future careers, understand what these traditions are, how they have evolved over time and place, and why they matter. Emphasis will be placed on community building, engagement and participation, with presentations from the editorial staff of Stylus, executive board of Terpoets, Novelist Support Group as well as other professional development opportunities.