May 27, 2025
Media Release
KL&S Launches WordLabs at Free Community Event featuring local artists Bruce Kauffman, Adrian Michael Kelly, Jermaine Marshall, Aric McBay and Wilding on Tuesday, June 24 at 7:00 pm
Following its announcement earlier this Spring, KL&S is excited to invite the community to the official launch of WordLabs, its new, not-for-profit, community-based literary arts initiative offering year-round writing workshops, seminars, and peer writing groups by and for writers in our community.
The WordLabs Launch will take place at 16 Bath Road in Kingston on Tuesday, June 24th at 7:00 pm.
The opening event will feature a tour, instructor meet and great and round-table conversation about the value of creative writing with local artists and WordLabs instructors Bruce Kauffman, Adrian Michael Kelly, Jermaine Marshall, Aric McBay and Wilding. This event is free, with donations gratefully accepted. To register, visit www.wordlabs.ca.
Aara Macauley, former Artistic Director of Kingston WritersFest, will lead WordLabs, bringing 11 years of experience in literary arts administration and programming. “I’m honored to work alongside KL&S to deliver this comprehensive, year-round writing initiative,” Macauley explains. “WordLabs is focused on building a supportive, community-driven literary space that people can access across the calendar year. I am excited to collaborate with talented local authors and artists to develop workshops and other programming that reflects and responds to the diverse interests of Kingston’s vibrant writing community.”
The goal is to provide an inclusive, supportive space for people from all backgrounds to grow their writing skills and share their stories. In addition to the adult writing workshops, WordLabs will also offer a youth writing program and a freewriting drop-in group, where writers can connect in a relaxed, judgement-free environment.
KL&S is currently seeking donations to help launch and sustain this program. Contributions directly support the development of workshops, compensation for author instructors, and the presentation of future onstage events.
Media Contact: Aara Macauley, Literary Programming Coordinator Kingston Literacy & Skills Phone: 1 (613) 547-2012Email: info@klsread.ca
About Kingston Literacy & Skills Kingston Literacy & Skills (KL&S) is a non-profit community agency that provides free training for adults in Kingston, Ontario, and the surrounding communities. With over 48 years of experience, KL&S has helped thousands of adults achieve their goals through personalized instruction in English language, reading, writing, math, computers, and job skills. Programs are delivered in a modern, accessible, and welcoming environment.