Part book club, part demiurgic adventure, The Trimalchio Project is a weekend-long gathering for inventive and poetic spirits from around #yeg, all of whom will attempt to create artistic works inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

The goal of The Trimalchio Project is artistic, not academic. We want individuals to be inspired by Fitzgerald's work, and to use that inspiration to direct their creative energies towards the completion of an artistic piece. It can be a poem, song, journal, short story, play, painting, drawing, poster, or a comic book. It can be clothing, crafts, a fashion show, a play or a movie. Wherever the Muses of Jay, Daisy, Nick and Jordan take you, we encourage you to go!

How It Works: Read The Great Gatsby. Bathe in it's majesty. Place your self inside it. Free your mind. Get inspired. Grab your crayons and your laptop. Then come on by!

Here's how we picture the weekend breaking down:

Flappers and Philosophers Soirée

When: Friday, June 24th

Time: 8 pm

Where: Confederation Lounge, Hotel Macdonald.

Dress: Roaring Twenties

A chance for participants to meet and greet over martinis and other fine intoxicants. We'll encourage people to discuss Gatsby, so as to stimulate the mind for the following day's activities, but it isn't a book club meeting. The only thing formal is the attire. WINK!

The Great Gatsby

When: Saturday, June 25th

Time: 9 am-5 pm

Where: Arts Building, University of Alberta (Rooms 3-20, 3-09, and 3-30)

The heart of the matter. Participants brainstorm, share ideas, and then either break off into groups or as individuals to start working on their projects. Throughout the day we will take breaks, and share with each other our successes and our frustrations. Meet in Room 3-20 (Faculty Lounge).

Tender is the Night

When: Saturday, June 25th

Time: 7 pm

Where: Arts Building, University of Alberta (Rooms 3-20, 3-09 and 3-30)

Following a break for dinner, participants will regroup for one last hour of work, then gather with everyone else for a final presentation. Works (completed and uncompleted) will be shared, and giant sighs of relief will be exhaled.

This Side of Paradise

When: Saturday, June 25th

Time: 10 pm

Where: Location TBD

Libations, laughs, and more libations.

Don't be shy. Come out and play. There's only 20 spots available, so make sure to get your ticket today!

Twitter Hashtag: #Trimalchio

Website: trimalchioproject.tumblr.com

Project Title Inspiration: Trimalchio in West Egg was one of the original working titles for The Great Gatsby.