Conference

Círculo de poetas & Writers: The Annual Conference

Mark Your Calendar for 2026!

The Círculo conference happens on the third and fourth Saturdays in August every year and is held both in-person and online. For 2026, the in-person conference will take place on Saturday, August 15th, at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz, California, while the online conference will happen the following Saturday, August 22nd, via Zoom. Participants may attend both or just one day.

Registration opens early July 2026! Scroll down to learn what's happening . . .

Videos: Tribute to a Living Writer Series!

Avotcja, our 2026 Tribute to a Living Writer!

On August 15th, 2026, Avotcja will be live and in-person at the Círculo de poetas & Writers Annual Conference as part of our Tribute to Living Writers series!

This video is from 4 years ago BIRD & BECKETT BOOKS & RECORDS

We'll post a new video to record her lasting presence after the conference, but for now, enjoy her mix of jazz and poetry!

Lorna Dee Cervantes Tribute to a Living Writer

On August 23rd, 2025, Lorna Dee Cervantes was live and in-person at the Círculo de poetas & Writers Annual Conference as part of our Tribute to Living Writers series!

Thanks to Luis Armando Garcia for making this video!

Juan Felipe Herrera Tribute to a Living Writer

At the 2024 Círculo de poetas & Writers Annual Conference, we presented a tribute to Juan Felipe Herrera, where we read his poems and wrote in his style of community, play, and fun.

Thanks to Luis Armando Garcia for making this video!

About the 2026 Conference

Schedule

Workshop Leaders

The annual Círculo conference takes place in August. The conference is held both in-person and online.

Both dates include breakout sessions where participants can generate poetry and prose. Every workshop is open to all writers, from those just starting their writing journey to published authors.

The conference concludes with a "Reading and Open Mic" open to all participants.

2026 Schedule

Workshop Leaders

Meet our 2026 workshop leaders! Each contributes uniquely through poetry, storytelling, and teaching to create inclusive spaces that empower our communities and celebrate the transformative power of the written word.

This dynamic group of poets, educators, and artists uses writing to inspire healing, preserve heritage, and amplify the voices of underrepresented people.

(In progress. Come back soon!)

Tribute to Avotcja

We believe in celebrating our veteranx writers right now as they continue to create and write.

For 2026, Avotcja will be live and in-person at our August Annual Conference as part of our Tribute to Living Writers series!

Scholarships!

Tribute to Avotcja

Círculo de poetas and Writers offers numerous free memberships that include conference admission for 2026.

To be eligible, the writer needs to identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). First priority is given to residents of Santa Cruz County, California.

We were able to offer these free memberships due to a grant from the Santa Cruz Arts Council.

Círculo de poetas & Writers

A community of diverse poets & writers supporting the literary arts

Círculo de poetas & Writers: The Annual Conference

Mark Your Calendar for 2026!

“Write with your eyes like painters, with your ears like musicians, with your feet like dancers. Write with your tongues on fire.” ― Gloria Anzaldúa

Videos: Tribute to a Living Writer Series!

Avotcja, our 2026 Tribute to a Living Writer!

Lorna Dee Cervantes Tribute to a Living Writer

Juan Felipe Herrera Tribute to a Living Writer

About the 2026 Conference

Schedule

Workshop Leaders

Workshop Leaders

Workshop Leaders

Workshop Leaders

Workshop Leaders

Tribute to Avotcja

Tribute to Avotcja

Tribute to Avotcja

Scholarships!

Tribute to Avotcja

Tribute to Avotcja

Fees & Dues

We Got the Grant!

Thank You, Arts Council!