The 9th annual L3: Writers’ Conference brought world-renowned authors, poets, novelists, spoken word artists and activists to Barrie North Collegiate on Thursday.
This year’s theme was youth mental wellness and ‘Poetry is Therapy’.
Shane Koyczan, Canadian spoken word artist and national anti-bullying advocate, headlined the conference with his poetic performances to students and the public at an evening performance.
Koyczan was previously on the Blue Dot Tour with David Suzuki and is now touring North America.
Other artists included Ian Keteku, Holly Painter, Ian French, Tom Earle and Damian Lopes – the city of Barrie’s poet lauriete.
The annual conference, organized by the school’s Grade 12 iDeology program students, is Ontario's largest high school literary event, with help from program teacher Brian Adduono.
