WHAM Art Gallery is hosting a Poetry Slam on Friday, June 17 at 16560 N. Dysart Road.

The public is welcome to this free event.

WHAM’s poetry reading is in its sixth year and is from 6 to 8 p.m. every other month, on the third Friday of that month.

Dustin Gardy, a poet in his own right, facilitates the program by offering his take on the readings. WHAM is leading the community in literary arts by offering this open mic night to anyone who either wants to read their own poetry or a published piece.

The Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission sponsors the event and helps bring performance art to the community. In addition, WHAM officials thanked local sponsors that keep WHAM galleries and programs going.

WHAM had its fundraising event May 15 at Topgolf. That event benefited these programs:

• Veteran’s Program “A Path to Healing” ­— a free 12-month art program for veterans and first responders.
• Special Needs Programs — “The Artist Within” is an adaptive art program for children and adults with special needs, and “Mindful Creative Art” is for memory care individuals.
• Teen WHAM — Teens aged 13 to 18 experience different art mediums and work with professional artists and participate in art-related events and projects.
• WHAM on Wheels — An art-mobile that brings art projects to communities for outdoor events and festivals for 50-300.

WHAM’s Art Center also features a gallery, art classes and studio spaces (where participants can see artists perfecting their crafts).

See WHAMs “What’s happening art movement” by visiting wham-art.org and social media sites by searching by WHAM Art Association.