Hub City has begun a writing project that will encourage people whose lives have been impacted by HIV/AIDS to become creative writers. Thanks to a grant from the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, Hub City will provide a writer-in-residence to Piedmont Care Inc., the local nonprofit agency that serves HIV+ people and their families in our community. Kris Neely, a poet, essayist and former English teacher, will work with clients, their families and caregivers to develop creative writing pieces for a Hub City publication called Hidden Voices. Entry topics will be diverse and will not be limited to HIV/AIDS.

As a first step in this project, Kris and Piedmont Care will host a public writing workshop Wednesday, January 19, at 7 pm at the offices of the American Red Cross, 104 Garner Road. During the workshop, Kris will assist participants in developing pieces of memoir and poetry. For more information about the workshop, call Tracey Jackson at Piedmont Care, 582-7773.

Kris will be also available to work one-on-one with participants, through consultation in person, or by phone or email. Recognizing that some participants may not want their names revealed, entries can be submitted anonymously. More than one entry can be submitted, and all works will be reviewed or edited.

In addition, WRET public television in Spartanburg will produce a short video about the writing project that can be viewed in February at the Piedmont Care offices, 269 South Church Street.

Hub City will publish Hidden Voices in the fall of 2005. Artwork from people whose life has been impacted by HIV/AIDS is also being solicited.

If you or someone you know would like to participate, please contact Kris Neely, neelykm@wofford.edu, 597-4042; or Tracey Jackson, tracey@piedmontcare.org, 582-7773.

Kris Neely is an Honor Graduate of Wofford College who received the 2002 Walter E. Hudgins Award for Intellectual Courage, Creativity, and Vision. He has published two poetry chapbooks, a one-act play, and produced a documentary film. He taught English at the Spartanburg Day School and is currently serving as director of Residence Life at Wofford College. During college he served as Head Spiritual Director of Epiphany Ministry at the Department of Juvenile Justice and a delegate to the Conference on Hate in Higher Education at Boston University in 2000.