Anythink invites the community to the third Unstudied Adams County, an inspiring poetry and arts event created and hosted by Adams County Poet Laureate Kerrie Joy, at Anythink Wright Farms on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 4–6:30 pm. This December gathering celebrates the season’s cozy atmosphere, inviting attendees to experience live music, themed activity zones, and food from local vendors—all free of charge.

“Since launching Unstudied Adams County, we’ve seen incredible engagement from the community,” says Suzanne McGowan, director of customer experience at Anythink. “Each of these unique, memorable events brings people of all backgrounds together to celebrate creative expression and make meaningful connections.”

Attendees will explore different expressions of coziness with performances by Kerrie Joy (she/her), featured artist Talaya Banks (she/they), and local poets during an afternoon of poetry, music, and connection. Participants are encouraged to dress in their “fanciest” comfy clothes and are welcome to bring a blanket to enhance the cozy setting.

“For me, ‘cozy’ makes me think of hugs and warm drinks and good stories,” shares Kerrie Joy. “It is my favorite macaroni and cheese, my favorite pecan pie. I look forward to a night of poetry that sticks to our bones and rocks us gently into truth and imagination.”

Talaya Banks, a Black queer artist from Denver, brings her unique perspective as an “imagineer, anthropologist, play enthusiast, and herb intuitive” to Unstudied. Her work centers around creating spaces for Black femmes to experience joy, safety, and leisure, using play as a way to disrupt colonial expectations and foster presence in the body.

“Being the featured artist for Unstudied feels like paying homage to “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” finding a seat in the classroom, being present, asking how we know love,” says Banks. “The poems I’m sharing explore trust not as a fixed structure but as a living, wild-growing garden. Inspired by Al Green’s music, bell hooks’ insights on love, and Audre Lorde’s depth of feeling, my work invites us to sit in the spaces where meaning blooms beyond what we've been taught. The audience can expect an unfolding of memories that live in our bodies, waiting to be seen and honored.”

A limited open mic will provide an opportunity for local poets of all ages, skill levels, and abilities to perform. Sign-ups open at 4 pm, and time slots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Performances are limited to five minutes and may be in any language. 

This all-ages event welcomes everyone and does not require registration.

About Unstudied

Started in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, Kerrie Joy’s Unstudied series connects audiences with current and historic local talent. Whether the featured performer is an emerging writer or an established creative, Unstudied creates a bridge between artists and audiences, celebrating community and self-expression. Kerrie Joy introduced Unstudied Adams County as part of her role as the Adams County Poet Laureate.

About the Adams County Poet Laureate

Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts and Anythink named Kerrie Joy as the inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate, in a two-year residency from 2023 to 2025 designed to connect Adams County through poetry. Kerrie Joy’s residency includes hosting events across the county where residents can engage in both performance and writing.