Member Spotlight On: Danielle Mitchell, Director of The Poetry Lab 

WE: Tell us a little about yourself and your work. 

DM: The Poetry Lab is a writing workshop event that takes place on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month. Our events combine elements of lecture/craft talk and generative writing workshop. Our goal is to grow the literary community in the city of Long Beach, to help support writers as they write, read, collaborate, experiment, and find networking connections. Our focus is on good writing as well as good relationships. It is on this idea that we’re building the second phase of the original Poetry Lab plan, a visiting writer’s series called Stranded Artist.

Stranded Artist is a special event that invites writers from out of town to a one-day residency at WE Labs. In the morning they lead a workshop, in the afternoon they participate in a question and answer session, and in the evening they feature at a poetry reading. The entire WE Labs community is invited to these events, especially the evening portion where members are treated to a short, but inspiring poetry reading followed by a mixer and dance party. Last year’s event was a success that brought new voices and collaborators into WE Labs and we hope this year’s event on Saturday, November 1st will be even more valuable to our community.

WE: How long have you been a member of WE Labs? How did you first get involved?

DM: I’ve been a part of WE Labs since February of 2013 when Poetry Lab started. Although, I first “got involved” earlier on when Markus was posting surveys and other promo matter to Facebook. I’d go in and proof read the materials and send the guys edits. I didn’t set foot in WE Labs for the first time until January. Markus and I had been friends for several years. In 2010 he was instrumental in helping a new poetry show get it’s start at The Basement Longue on Broadway. I met him there and we’ve been friends ever since.  

WE: What are you excited to work on in the future?  

DM: The future of The Poetry Lab looks bright. Our next big event is the Stranded Artist workshop and reading on Saturday, November 1st. We sincerely hope the WE Labs community will come enjoy what our artists have to offer. In the new year, The Poetry Lab will expand programming to include a monthly critical workshop. The format of the workshop will allow us to give detailed feedback on individual pieces of writing, which will help our writers become more studied and professional (as well as awesome and creative!). We are also working towards a book club, mentorship programs, and a printed anthology celebrating the first few years of The Poetry Lab.

WE: What’s your favorite thing about working at WE Labs?

DM: My favorite thing about WE Labs has always been the community of creative innovators that are housed within it. From the very first time I walked into the WE offices I knew Markus had done something amazing, and rare. He’d brought freelancers, community organizations, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, techies, and musicians together under one roof. And they remained there, happily. WE Labs is so much more than a cowork space. It has a heart, a real beating heart. And to be in that space, to feel the love of not just one friend, but many new friends, that is my favorite thing.