SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Join me for an online group, one on one workshop, classes, or guest speaker presentation! My topics: creativity, imagination, faith, and the arts. See more ideas below. My goal is for your audience to have new insight, energy, and direction. Contact me.
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Guest Lectures
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"The Magic Three," Poetry Writing Workshop, William Jewel College Art Gallery, Feb 2023
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“Podcasting & Voice" Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 2022
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"Teamwork & the Arts" Greenville University, UNIV 401 Students, Greenville, IN 2021
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"Freedom to Create Artist Talk," MidAmerica Nazarene University Library, Olathe, KS 2019
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"Women’s Creativity," Panel Discussion. Park University AAUW, Parkville, MO; 2012
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"Picture Book Plot and Rhythm."MFA students, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; 2011
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"The Subconscious Writing Process." MFA students, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN; 2011
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Earth Day in Kansas City, KC Examiner, Featured Journalist on Three local Radio Stations, Earth Day 2010
Testimonials
Evie Telfer, Women's Ministry Director
Conference
Thank you for your art for our conference... it was thought-provoking, appropriate to the theme, and contemporary (and I've heard great comments from others)! . . . . Thanks for your wonderful contribution to this event.
Gloria Heifner, Artist
Monthly Chapter Meeting
Thank you for sharing at the gathering Polly! I think you inspired all of us. It was one of the best gatherings we’ve had.
Panel Discussion
Nanci Stoeffler, Artist
I just want to tell you that the insight that you shared at the conference... has profoundly changed my life. I am still pondering that concept and it's having a deep ripple effect through all areas of my life. I am eternally grateful. THANK YOU!!!
Samantha Malay, Poet
Radio Show
I really enjoyed listening to your interview on Artspeak Radio. I loved your description of universal feminism and what you said about accessing language through writing rather than speaking.
Helen Hokansen, Committee Chair
Conference
The reviews from the writing conference are in. You were one of our faculty favorites!
Dr. Jane Bell, Project Head
Practicum Course Partner
Because of excellent project scope and project development, positive and honest critiques... you are awarded the project partner supreme! I’ve done 10 semesters of experience first [practicum course] and this group was one of my top...what a joy to see them grow individually and bond as a team even with the hassle of the pandemic. Thank you for your leader ship and Guidance.
Dario, Kingergarden Student
Class Visit
Dear Mrs. McCann, Thank you for coming to visit and sharing your "poums."
Kierra B., 7th Grader
Class Visit
I was stuck in a place where I had no idea how to publish my novel. You inspired me to continue writing and maybe publish a book one day. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kierra B.
Recent Talks
Picture Books for Nonprofits & Private Sector, KS/ MO Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Jul 2023
The Dawn of Your Inner Creative Artist, Sketchox Auxillary, KCAI, OP, KS Mar 2023
The Come Back, Artists and Poest, CUMC KC historic Jazz District, MO Apr 2023
KS/ MO Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Writing Picture Books for Nonprofits, Jul 2023
Intro to Children's Book Writing, The Writers Place, KC, Mo Aug 2023
Sketchox Auxillary, KCAI, The Dawn of Your Inner Creative Artist, OP, KS 2023
The Magic Three, Poetry Writing Workshop, William Jewel College Art Gallery, Feb 2023
Gathering of Artists, Creativity through Symbol, Creativity through Theme, KC, MO 2021, 2022
Swordfish Toms, Night Forest Poetry Reading, KC, MO 2022
Joco Library Writers Conference, Chatting about Chapbooks, KS, Nov. 2022
Joco Library Writers Conference, Place & Power in Narrative Poetry, KS, Nov. 2022
Writer's Place Reading, Night Forest Poetry Reading, KC, MO 2022
In Our Own Words, Writers Place & KC Public Schools, Poetry, Kansas City, MO 4th graders, 2022
Live Interviews w/ Poets, Ketchupedia Poetry Radio, KONN 100.1 FM 30 episodes, weekly, 2021
Doorway to Story Workshops, Reconciliation Serves Grandparent Program, KC, MO 2021
Doorway to Story Workshop, Joco Library Writers Conference, Kids: Overland Park, KS 2021
Freewriting from Symbols , JoCo Library Writers Conference, Nov 2021
Dark Poems bring us into the light, River Front Reading Series, KC, MO Nov. 2020
Artist Talk, Art in the Loop, Art on the Line, KC StreetCar Art Tour, Sept 23, 2020
Y.U.R. Interesting Online Workshops, Narrative Poetry Workshop, KC, MO Aug 2020
Poetry is Reasonable, International Poetry Day, Oasis Group, Kansas City, MO, Mar 2020
Studio Artist Life, KC Art Lounge, Jan Jensen Artists, Live online Interview, Dec 2020
Hands Out: Five ways to revise a poem, Joco Library Writers Conference, KS, Nov.2020
Long Story Short: Publishing short stories, Joco Library Writers Conference, KS 2020
Author Panel Discussion: Short Fiction, Mid-Continent Public Library Story Center, Liberty, MO 2020
Kids: Doorway to Story Workshop, Joco Library Writers Conference, Johnson County, KS 2020
The Word: Creativity in Dark Times. NC/ Northland Cathedral, KC, MO Aug 2020
Dark Poetry for Dark Times, KKFI, ArtSpeak Radio, KC, MO April 8th, 2020
Speaking about Faith. Genesis 1:1, Annual Faith and Art Show Featured Speaker, KC, MO Feb 22, 2020
Creative Practice Workshops for Artists, InterUrban ArtHouse, OP, KS Spring, 2020