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Chris M. Sorensen Studio left a comment for S. Bryan Medina

"Hi Bryan, what's the good word? The Chris Sorensen Studio/Gallery would be honored if you'd add us as your friend! Thanks"

Apr 8, 2009

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About:: Bryan Medina, Gulf War vet, poet, educator, actor and collaborator, started writing poetry as a way to escape from the gang life he was surrounded by during his early years living in Orange County, California after moving from Denver Colorado with his family. Today he works as a teacher’s assistant with the severely handicapped, along with teaching creative writing/poetry classes at Fresno’s Juvenile Justice Campus for incarcerated youth and at Fresno High’s after school program. Medina can be seen frequently wowing poetry audiences throughout California and local readings with pieces about life, love, sex, abuse, and politics.

A self taught open mic artist, he honed his craft at locally known poetry venues in Fresno as well as in known poetry spots at World Café in LA, the renowned Intersections for the Arts theater space in San Francisco, La Pena Cultural Center in Berkeley, Stockton, San Diego, and Sacramento. Beginning in 2002 Bryan’s performance resume includes his involvement in 9/11 Stories in an ensemble cast of local poets in a story poetry/performance piece about the day the twin towers came crashing down coordinated by noted poet Juan Felipe Herrera; Half Of The World In Light (University of Arizona Press 2008). Medina was also featured on a 2003 live-recorded music CD Rally in the Valley with music group Waddama and has performed on stage with LA alternative band the B Side Players, including local music artists Larry Giddens, Nino Moschella, the Jay Rossetti Band, The Same Shape, The Hump Band, and Three Bags Full.

A member of three local art collectives Manikrudo (Raw Peanuts), Ahh Yeah, and a founding member of Liberated Souls, Bryan has published in a number of locally known poetry anthologies like Flies, Cockroaches, and Poets, The San Jaquin Review, In the Grove, and the Fresno poetry collective book Mosaic Voices and has self-published his own chapbooks, Under the Influence, Harsh Realities, and A Wild Mother Sometimes Makes a Cautious Child You Know…

He is the creator of Fresno and the central valley’s longest running Open Mic show, the once a month Inner Ear Open Mic Poetry Jam, a co-founder/co-host of the now defunct Beat Down Competitive Poetry Slam and former adviser and host of Fresno State University’s Poetry at the Pub readings and has been awarded two City of Fresno Commendations for contributions to Fresno’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

Medina is a seven-year student of the CSU Summer Arts program in writing and has collaborated with noted artists Taylor Mali, Sonya Renee, Mark Doty, Scott Cairns, Helena Maria Viramontes and performed along with former Poet Laureate for the state of California, Quincy Troupe. Bryan hopes to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing at CSU Fresno State.

An actor for five years, Bryan has appeared in various motion pictures, television shows, T.V. commercials and music videos playing a wide range of roles working with stars in both film and music.

Arts Specialty:: Writer, Spoken word, Poetry, Performance artist, Actor

Website:: http://myspace.com/the_innerear

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At 3:07pm on April 8, 2009, Chris M. Sorensen Studio said…: Hi Bryan, what's the good word? The Chris Sorensen Studio/Gallery would be honored if you'd add us as your friend! Thanks

At 9:42pm on April 2, 2009, SIN said…: Your are one cool dude Bryan! Hope you and Scurvy? put out a poem for the Foot Fetish II show. It would make it so fun!!! PLEASE!!!!

At 9:48am on December 14, 2008, Victor Ramayrat said…: What's Up Mr. B...

I'm setting up a photography home studio at my house starting Dec. 23 for family portrait and headshots. If you still need one, drop by my house (let's set up time) and bring a USB storage device with you (or a blank CD-R). We'll do a quick take, no cost..

Oh btw, I entered the Annual Inner Ear Jam on the events page... Poetry has not been represented here lately, so I thought I'd put it in...

Cheers,

Victor

At 4:55pm on October 6, 2008, Poppy Scarbrough said…: Hey Brian, Yep, you guys are a little crazy, eh? Have a fun week!

At 6:17am on September 3, 2008, Devoya Mayo said…: B-
If you can believe it I'm actually looking forward to this friday too:) I only wish I had more time to write...but I don't even have time to think most day's, so writing is out of the question:(...it'll get better though. Thanks for the add.
Dee~

At 11:41am on August 27, 2008, Jay "kilroy" McElroy said…: right on! glad you dug it! Let me know when we're gonna meet to talk about the group thing.

At 12:14pm on August 5, 2008, CALIFORNIA OPERA ASSOCIATION said…: Thank you for joining our friends and for all of the work you are doing with the youth who so much need you and benefit by this creative outlet - outstanding! We're looking forward to following your projects and to sharing through this great interactive site!

At 12:59pm on June 11, 2008, Poppy Scarbrough said…: Hola! Thanks Bryan- !

At 11:34am on June 11, 2008, Samantha Canales said…: Hey Brian- I'm so glad to hear from you. Great timing. You have been on my mind. I really, from the heart, want to thank you for participating in our event. I just love your poetry, truly. I'm kinda on a just say no to Fresno kick right now. So many artists, organizations and so on said they were down to support this project and the kids and they were all a no show and the kids noticed it. So thanks so much for coming and laying it down.

Sam