The Language Arts and Humanities Division at Seminole State College is currently accepting submissions for the Eighth Annual “Howlers and Yawpers Creativity Symposium: A Showcase of Oklahoma Artists, Musicians, Actors, Writers, and Dancers.” Those interested can visit the symposium website at http://yawpers.kellimcbride.com to access the 2018 Submission Form. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October, 5, 2018.

The free symposium will be held in the Jeff Johnson Fine Arts Center on the SSC campus on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November 9, 2018. The event is open to the public, and area high schools and middle schools are welcome to bring their students to enjoy two days filled with an eclectic mix of varied musical performances, creative writings, dramatic readings, artistic presentations, and dances by both professional and emerging Oklahoma artists and scholars.

This year’s symposium will feature Jeanetta Calhoun Mish, Oklahoma Poet Laureate, as the Keynote Speaker, and Jason Poudrier, novelist, essayist, poet, and Purple Heart recipient of the Iraq War, as the Special Guest. Both featured presentations will be on Friday morning, November 9.

The Howlers and Yawpers Creativity Symposium was established by the faculty of the SSC Language Arts and Humanities Division in the Spring of 2011 as a free, fully accessible celebration of Oklahoma creative expression, in all of its diverse forms.  “We hope this symposium will encourage all those who attend and participate to continue to find passion in their creative arts and appreciate the role the fine arts play in education and in Oklahoma culture,” said Jessica Isaacs, Symposium Director and Professor of Language Arts and Humanities at SSC.High school and middle school teachers or counselors wishing to bring students to the event, or anyone wishing to bring large groups to enjoy the Symposium, should contact Isaacs for information about bus parking and other necessary arrangements at 405-382-9209 or by email at j.isaacs@sscok.edu.