Open Mic Poetry at The Dalí

Helen Pruitt Wallace has published individual poems in several journals and anthologies. Individual books include Shimming the Glass House, and a chapbook, Pink Streets. A former Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg, she is the curator of The Dalí Poetry series. 

Curtis Davis was born and raised in Tampa, FL. He has been writing and performing poetry since a youth in high school and has since traveled all over the states competing in international, national, and regional poetry slam competitions. In 2018, Curtis was ranked the eight poet in the world after becoming a finalist in the Individual World Poetry Slam held in San Diego, CA. He is the Creative Director of 501c3 Non-Profit Heard ‘Em Say Youth Arts Collective and is the Co-Founder of GrowHouse with Dennis Amadeus. GrowHouse is an artist collective dedicated to growing community, growing culture and growing creatives through poetry and hip-hop. They host a monthly poetry slam and weekly poetry workshops inside the historical Kress building in Ybor City. Learn more about Curtis on his Instagram.

Dennis Amadeus has built a career grounded by his passion to teach and inspire young people about the transformative power of education and expression, from mentoring youth poets and keynote speaking engagements to curriculum design and implementation of dynamic art-based educational programming. As an artist/teaching artist, Dennis has traveled extensively across the nation, performing and conducting art-based educational workshops aimed at getting youth to see their creative potential. He has also organized multiple community fundraisers and book drives to support domestic and international causes, including organizing 1000 books to be sent to Swaziland, Africa, to build a community library. Dennis’ continued community and civic engagement exhibit his desire to use his creativity and ability to bring people together to change communities on a local and international level. Dennis is a writer, educator, performance artist and a community organizer determined to use his creative talents to transform communities and the minds of young people.

GrowHouse is owned and operated by 2 artists of color in Tampa, Florida. It all started when a seed was planted in 2017 by Spoken Word Poet/Visual Artist/Tampa Native, Curtis Davis – that grew into a monthly competitive event centered around the elements of Hip-Hop culture held at the Ybor City Barbering Company. He called it GrowHouse. Becoming more than just an artist but now an event curator, Curtis slowly shifted his mindset to that of an entrepreneurial one and decided to cultivate GrowHouse into a brick and mortar business for local poets and artists alike. In 2019 GH became an official L.L.C. after Curtis invited fellow Spoken Word Poet/Professional Graphic Designer/Best Friend, Dennis Amadeus to join his venture. Together the two have combined their knowledge and experience as traveling artists to put on some of the most creative and welcoming events for new artists, veterans and art lovers.