2016 Jack Straw Writer Casandra Lopez has worked in several literary forms, including poetry, fiction, and essays. Her project during her Jack Straw fellowship was a hybrid work of creative non-fiction, crossing and blending genres to explore the grief and loss that followed her brother’s murder. She talks to program curator Karen Finneyfrock about making the transition from fiction to poetry, art as activism, and writing about grief.

Music by Seattle Jazz Composers Ensemble, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.