Randy Gonzales Poetry Workshop
Where We Live: Opelousas Neighborhoods
WHAT: Crafting Poetry from Community Photographs
WHEN: Saturday, February 7, 2026
TIME: 11 A.M. — 1 P.M.
WHERE: Opelousas Museum
CONTACT: Patrice Melnick 337-948-2589; museum@cityofopelousas.com
Meet and write with published poet Randy Gonzales. This presentation is part of the creative workshops for the Where We Live: Opelousas Neighborhoods exhibit.
Participants will write poetry inspired by community photographs. With the help of writing
prompts and guided instruction, you will learn to use images to spark memory, imagination,
and storytelling and write poetry that touches on the everyday lives and landscapes of
Opelousas. No prior writing experience is needed. Just bring curiosity and a willingness to look
closely and craft what you see into poetry. Refreshments will be served.
ABOUT RANDY GONZALES
Randy Gonzales is a poet, writer, and community historian. Randy’s debut poetry collection Settling St. Malo won the 2024 Summerlee Book Award for enriching our understanding of the history of the Gulf Coast region. His second collection There No More is forthcoming (UL Press, 2026). Randy is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he holds an Endowed Professorship in Southern Studies. You can find out more about Randy at www.randygonzales.com.
Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.
FMI: Patrice Melnick 337-948-2589; museum@cityofopelousas.com
