Blackout Poetry & Collage on the Patio | Screen-Free Social

Pop-Up Art Café is partnering with COS Poetry for a screen-free evening on the patio. No poetry experience necessary!

Here's how the night works:

The first half is a guided blackout poetry collage activity led by Arthur from COS Poetry. You'll be given a page of text — a menu, a newspaper, an old letter, and invited to find the poem hiding inside it, then build something around it with collage. Think of it less like writing and more like excavating. It's quieter than you think, and more satisfying than you expect.

The second half is yours. Keep working on your blackout poetry collage — or pull out whatever screen-free hobby you brought with you. Knitting, journaling, a sketchbook, a book, embroidery — all welcome. This is the part of the evening where people tend to just... talk.

That's it. No performance. No pressure to share. No experience required.

This is a Pop-Up Art Café event — which means it's designed to feel like a third space, not a class. Just good humans making things together on a summer evening in Colorado Springs.

This event is for you if:

• You're curious about poetry but would never call yourself a poet.
• You work from home and need actual time with people.
• You've been meaning to pick that hobby back up.
• You want to meet someone new without an awkward icebreaker.

What's included: All blackout poetry collage materials, guided by Arthur of COS Poetry.

What to bring: Yourself - and optionally, a screen-free hobby to work on in the second half.

Drinks and snacks available for purchase at Avenue19

Questions? hello@popupartcafe.com

See you there. ✨

🎟️ Tickets:

✨ Early Bird – $15
Available through June 21

✨ General Admission – $18
Begins June 22

Includes guided blackout poetry collage + all materials for a cozy, screen-free evening on the patio.

FAQ

What does “screen-free” mean?
This is a phone-free event (yes, really 😊). We’ll invite you to tuck your phone away for the evening so you can be more present, meet new people, and actually settle into the experience. No doom scrolling. No awkwardly standing around pretending to text.

Why screen-free?
Because making friends as adults is weirdly hard — and phones make it even easier to stay in our comfort zone. We create intentional spaces for real-life connection, creativity, and the kind of conversations that happen when nobody’s half-on Instagram.

Do I have to talk to people?
No pressure. Come however you are. Some people chat a ton, others quietly work on their project. The beauty of having something to do (poetry collage, journaling, knitting, reading, etc.) is that conversation tends to happen naturally.

Can I come alone?
Please do. Many people come solo! This event is especially great if you’re new to town, work from home, or simply want to expand your community in a low-pressure way.

Will there be awkward icebreakers?
Nope. We’re not really the “tell us a fun fact about yourself” type. The evening is designed to make connection feel natural and easy.

What if I’m not creative?
You do not need to be “artistic” or poetic. Truly. The first half is guided and approachable, and the second half is simply time to relax and work on a screen-free hobby or connect with others.

What should I bring?
Just yourself. Optionally, bring a screen-free hobby for the second half — a book, journal, sketchbook, knitting, embroidery, crossword, or whatever you enjoy unplugging with.

What’s the vibe?
Think: cozy patio hang, creative energy, low-pressure conversation, summer evening in Colorado Springs, and the nostalgic feeling of when people used to just… hang out.

Do I have to share my poem or collage?
Absolutely not. No performance, no pressure, no spotlight.