I am a writer, photographer, and historian. My writing includes poetry, creative nonfiction (including pictorial history, architectural history, and essays on social and political topics), and fiction. I often give lectures on various arts-related topics and poetry readings. I have published nine books and two spoken-word CDs; have had poetry, fiction, and nonfiction appear in scores of publications. I have published many photographs in magazines, newspapers, and books on a variety of topics. I ... view more »
Artist Style: Literary: Documentary, Editor, Fiction, History, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Prose; Music: Opera; Visual: Collage, Photo Realistic, Portraiture, Site-Specific, Social Commentary
Artist Medium: Visual Arts: Collage, Photography, Wood
John Sherman, a former teacher, often visits classrooms to discuss poetry and other writing with students from the upper elementary grades to university classes. A former teacher of English and Journalism in various U.S. cities, primarily with Native American and African American students, and Nigeria, Biafra, Zaire, and Malawi, he brings his classroom experiences and his love of writing to the workshops. These result in many of the participants, whether elementary students or seniors, writing their first poems.
He is working on fundraising for the opera, “Biafra” (he is the librettist) so it may be performed on stage, offered also in an Igbo-language version, and the versions filmed on location in Nigeria in the area known during the country’s civil war as the Republic of Biafra.
He is also writing a novel, revising a second one, editing a collection of short fiction and nonfiction and a collection of his “Generally Sherman” humor columns.
Flava Fresh exhibit, one photo, SullivanMunce Gallery, Zionsville, Indiana, September 10 – October 30, 2021
Flava Fresh exhibit, two photos, College Avenue Library, Indianapolis, September 7, 2021 – January 25, 2022
B.A., English and Journalism (double major), Indiana University
M.A. Studies, African Studies (Literature), University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Certificate in French, Alliance Francaise, French Embassy, Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
ASCAP
Writers Center of Indiana
PEN Center American Center
Authors Guild
Igbo Studies Association
Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Fellow; Indiana Arts Commission Individual Artist Grants(6); Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites Grants, Indiana Arts Commission and Indiana Department of the Interior (4); Finalist, Walt Whitman Award, Academy of American Poets.
