Looking to cultivate a creative community of learners? Well, look no further! In collaboration with the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Cultivate Art Commons is co-hosting the Learning for Liberation Book Club.

Kat Sandler's 2019 play Yaga is a genre-bending fairy tale thriller based on the iconic witch of Slavic mythology, Baba Yaga. It's a funny, fast-paced read that investigates sex, power, and how stories are told and twisted under patriarchy.

In this session, cruciverbalist, theatre critic, and folklore fanatic Haley Sarfeld will lead participants through an intro to crossword puzzle creation―building intricate grids, coming up with satisfying clues, and playing with cultural references, multiple meanings, and hidden messages. Along the way, we'll discuss parallel themes in Yaga―and yes, we can talk about the recent TV adaptation, too!

This program exists to create a welcoming space for collective learning and art-making, critical conversation, and community connection through books that explore liberation, history, justice, creativity, and social change. Together, participants will engage with diverse voices and ideas, reflect on lived experiences, and imagine more caring, equitable futures.

On the first Tuesday of each month, folks will come together to discuss the book at hand, whilst participating in a hands-on art activity.

Yaga is available as an e-book through Hoopla. Please be advised that the work deals with themes of sexual violence. All art activity materials are provided. 

This program is generously funded by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area.

ABOUT HALEY SARFELD

Haley Sarfeld (she/they) is a writer, performer, and arts-worker-of-all-trades living in Katarokwi/Kingston. If you like puzzles, you can find Haley’s latest ones in The Skeleton Press and at crossword.info/haley