Today we’d like to introduce you to HomeGrown Poetry.
HomeGrown Poetry is a video platform that was started in November 2016 by Ryan Jones, a poet and spoken word artist based in Atlanta. Ryan noticed that while there was an abundance of talent in, and around, the poetry scene in Atlanta, there was a lack of video footage documenting that talent. Knowing that having footage on the internet can be a game changer for a spoken word artist’s career. Ryan took it upon himself to form HomeGrown Poetry LLC., and start filming at venues and open mics such as Urban Grind Coffee Shop in West Midtown, Art Amok at Red Light Cafe on Amsterdam Ave, and Java Monkey Speaks at Java Monkey Coffee Shop in Decatur (prior to it burning down). Before long, Ryan recruited several volunteers (Nate Mask, Ninel Nekay, Khalil Dorsey, R.J. Owens, and Ogechi Ofodu) to help run HomeGrown Poetry, and cover more ground, if need be.
Please tell us about your art.
HomeGrown Poetry primarily films event videos for poetry open mics and showcases. Occasionally, we also film poetry productions and promotional videos that we direct and edit ourselves. HomeGrown Poetry primarily focuses on Atlanta-based, and southeastern spoken word artists. Our team has noticed that when it comes to spoken word, the Southeast (and more specifically, Atlanta) isn’t often thought of as a place where spoken word artists can thrive. So, from our inception, it has been our goal to debunk that rumor and showcase the variety of voices that we have here. The artists here in Atlanta (and other cities around the Southeast) are doing the work and doing it well, and we want to make sure that people notice.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
People often consider writing and poetry to be a solitary act, but it doesn’t have to be! That is part of the joy of open mics and other literary events that we hope to capture at HomeGrown Poetry. Atlanta has a very large community of artists and writers, and we hope by providing a platform for them, and showcasing the venues that we film at, we can connect them (we generally list the event details in all of our video descriptions)!
If you’re a poet that wants to find community, please consider coming to some of the events that we film at: Java Speaks at 7Stages in Little Five Points (every Sunday at 8 pm), Art Amok at Redlight Cafe on Amsterdam Ave (every 1st Tuesday at 8 pm), and Urban Grind Coffeeshop in West Midtown (every Thursday at 8 pm)!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
We have a YouTube channel and a Facebook page where people can go to watch videos from the open mics that we film at. We, also, have HomeGrown Poetry shirts and other small merchandise for sale, if you contact us via our Facebook page. While we hope viewers definitely tune-in and subscribe to our channel, we also hope that folk will be inspired to come to local open mics and support the artists that we feature on our channel. Ultimately, we would like to see those artists book more shows, sell more merchandise, and generate a larger fan base.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCATKurAsYTABBDy_VlqlRkw
- Email: hgpvideos@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homegrownpoetry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homegrownpoetry/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/homegrownpoetry/
Image Credit:
Grace Kelly Photography
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