What makes Arthur Bellfield with Colorado Springs Poetry Slam a good neighbor?  

The Power of Poetic Expression: How Colorado Springs Poetry Slam is Building Community Through Verse

In the heart of Colorado Springs, a unique artistic movement is gaining momentum, offering both entertainment and healing through the power of spoken word. The Colorado Springs Poetry Slam, founded by Arthur Bellfield, has become more than just a competitive event—it's evolved into a supportive community where individuals from all walks of life can express their authentic selves through poetry.

The concept is refreshingly straightforward: monthly poetry competitions that take "poems from the page to the stage" in a friendly competition format. Performers share their original works before a live audience, with winners taking home a $100 prize funded by Bellfield himself. What makes this initiative particularly special is its inclusivity. As Bellfield emphatically stated during his interview on The Good Neighbor Podcast, "We don't discriminate on age, race, gender, none of that. We just want you to be yourself." This commitment to creating a welcoming space for authentic expression stands as the cornerstone of the organization's philosophy.

Perhaps the most exciting development from Colorado Springs Poetry Slam is their upcoming poetic wellness workshops scheduled to begin in mid-May at the Westside Community Center. These innovative sessions approach poetry as a therapeutic tool, similar to art and music therapy, designed specifically to help participants process and heal from depression, anxiety, trauma, and recovery challenges. Unlike the performance-focused slam events, these wellness classes create a more intimate environment where participants can reflect on specific topics through writing exercises, fostering personal growth and emotional healing through creative expression.

The origin story of Colorado Springs Poetry Slam reveals the transformative potential of creative communities. Bellfield candidly shared how he founded the organization after relocating to Colorado Springs four years ago and finding himself without a local poetry slam scene. What began as a way to build community in a new city became a lifeline when personal tragedy struck. After experiencing the devastating end of his marriage, which left him "homeless, friendless, family-less" in his own words, Bellfield found salvation through poetry. "Poetry saved me by giving me a home and giving me a voice," he explained, highlighting how artistic expression provided a healthy outlet for processing trauma rather than keeping it bottled inside.

For those interested in experiencing Colorado Springs Poetry Slam firsthand, their events can be found through their website (coloradospringspoetryslam.com), their Facebook group, or by searching for "CO Springs Poetry Slam" on Instagram. With regular updates on upcoming events, including the new wellness classes launching in May, there are multiple avenues for engagement whether as an audience member, a participant, or someone seeking healing through the written and spoken word. As Bellfield powerfully reminds us, the true value of these gatherings lies in the realization that "there are people out there who resonate with your truth"—a testament to the connective power of authentic artistic expression.

To learn more about Colorado Springs Poetry Slam go to: 

https://coloradospringspoetryslam.com/

Colorado Springs Poetry Slam

719-725-8347