Lake Erie Ink open house sparks kids' creativity

Poems, plays, stories and essays filled the air—along with fun, games and great food provided by area businesses—at Lake Erie Ink's Open House on Oct. 30.

The open house featured readings and performances of original works by the young writers who participate in LEI's programs. In addition, anyone who sat down and wrote a haiku earned a place in line for a free airbrush tattoo, so kids produced some clever pieces and lined up to get "inked."  

The brainchild of writing educators and Heights parents Cynthia Larsen and Amy Rosenbluth, LEI is located in the Coventry School building. It is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that "creative writing is not only for youth who already love writing, but also for youth who have something to say and too often feel that nobody is listening."

At LEI, they're definitely listening. LEI offers many writing programs for kids of all ages: after-school writing workshops and homework help for grades four through eight, evening and weekend workshops with different themes, monthly teen cafés, poetry slams, and more. Programs feature not only poetry and plays, but also comics, graphic arts and nonfiction forms, such as journalism and blogging. Whatever a child's interests, LEI can provide him or her with opportunities and outlets to explore them. The programs are available to the community at very low cost to participants. 

For more information on upcoming programs, or to become involved by donating or volunteering, contact LEI at 216-320-4757 or visit www.lakeerieink.org.