American Stories: A Community Storytelling Showcase

In honor of the featured exhibition Making American Artists: Stories from the Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts, 1776–1976, the Everson Museum invited community members to share their own stories. This storytelling event will showcase 10 featured short stories from local storytellers that reflect upon the American experience and perceptions of the American dream. Featured stories will be pre-selected by a panel of judges following an open call for story submissions and will be grouped into two categories: Adult (18+) and Youth (under 17). Join us to honor the perspectives, tales, and traditions from the community through this unique event designed to uplift the voices and experiences of our neighbors.

Theme:
We are seeking original short stories, poems, or writings from local storytellers. These stories should reflect on what the American Dream or the American Experience means to you – whether through personal experience, cultural perspective, or historical insight. Stories may wish to explore themes of ambition, cultural identities and belonging, intergenerational stories and lessons, overcoming challenges, or redefining success, among other ways you wish to reflect on the theme. We invite you to consider what it means to be American in today’s world, and how those stories have shaped our individual and collective identities.

 Submission Parameters:

  • Stories must be 3-5 minutes long when read aloud. We encourage applicants to practice timing and reading their story aloud prior to submitting.
  • Submissions should be shared as audio files with a written transcript
  • Submissions must be original works. Previously published writing may be considered.
  • Please note that selected storytellers may choose to deliver their stories from memory or while reading notes.
  • Please keep in mind a general audience comprised of folks of various ages, with a variety of life experiences, when crafting your story.
  • Please practice civility and respect. Submissions that include any form of racism, homophobia, misogyny, or any form of hate speech, will be disqualified from consideration.

 Judging Criteria:
Stories will be assessed using a rubric related to the following categories:

  • Connection to the Theme: How well does the story reflect themes related to the American experience, identity, or the concept of the American Dream?
  • Originality and Creativity: Is the story fresh, engaging, and distinctive? Does it offer a new perspective on familiar ideas or narratives?
  • Delivery & Resonance: Is the story delivered thoughtfully delivered regarding emphasis, tone, and timing? Will it resonate with the audience and provoke reflection or conversation?

 Submission Process & Deadline:

  • Submit your story as an audio file with an additional Word document or PDF transcript to Monica Andrews at [email protected]. For larger attachments, please send using WeTransfer or contact Monica for assistance.
  • In your submission, include your name, email, phone, category (Adult 18+ OR Youth under 17), and a brief bio (less than 100 words)
  • Deadline: All submissions must be received by April 1st, 2025.

Please note: selected storytellers will present their stories live during the community storytelling showcase event on May 8th, 2025 from 6-8pm at the Everson Museum of Art. This event will be free and open to the public, and all submitters must be available on this date if chosen.

Thank you to our partners!

  • Community Folk Art Center
  • Syracuse YMCA

Emcee & Judge Bios:

(Emcee) Vanessa Johnson is a Griot, playwright, actor, fiber artist, museum consultant, and teaching artist. She has coordinated cultural festivals and educational programs, including Syracuse’s Juneteenth Festival, the Pan African Village at the N.Y. State Fair, and the Harambee Youth Tent. As the former Director of Education for the Onondaga Historical Association, she used storytelling to teach local history. She has written and produced plays for children, led the “Griot Guides” program at the Community Folk Art Center, and exhibited her fiber art in multiple solo shows. Currently, she serves as the Artist in Residence at the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation.

(Judge) Kofi Antwi is a writer, professor at SUNY Cortland, and Education Outreach Program Coordinator at the Community Folk Art Center. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is the assistant editor of Black Fire This Time and Black Fire This Time Volume 2. His debut book, Tidal Wave, was published by Kattywompus Press in 2020. Dedicated to fostering literary expression in underrepresented communities, he facilitates writing workshops exploring culture, memory, and identity. Kofi is also a board member of the Black Artist Collective and an advocate for creative inclusion in Central New York.

(Judge) Tim Carter is a poet, educator, and Director of Writing Workshops for the Downtown Writers Center in Syracuse, NY. He holds an MFA from Syracuse University and has published two poetry collections: Remains (Tiger Bark Press, 2022) and The Pigs (Dead Mall Press, 2023). Through his work, he mentors emerging writers and fosters literary engagement in the community.