Emily Vieweg is a poet and writer living and working in Fargo, ND. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, and her M.F.A. in Writing from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO (a mere five minutes from her childhood home). For the past several years Emily has been active in Poetry Out Loud (Poets in the Schools) through ND Council of the Arts, and has published two chapbooks and one full-length collection of poetry.

Emily is active in NDSU Staff Senate, Pride Network, Pride Alliance, Safe Zone, Including U, and Community of Respect. She is dedicated to helping individuals share their opinions, through whatever format (written, spoken, visual, sculpture, performance, etc). Behavior is communication, and a voice is more than “just spoken word.”

Emily is pursuing an M.S. in Sociology at NDSU, as well as Graduate Certificates in: Women & Gender Studies, College Teaching, and Student Affairs Administration.

Ask Me

Who are your role models or inspiring folks?

 The people that most inspire me are my kids. “CJ” and “Tink” both have Autism and ADHD, and are always teaching me something – whether it’s patience or communication, or just being in the moment – finding the beauty in the everyday is a huge inspiration to my life and my art.

Outside of art and design fields, what inspires you?

 I like solving problems. I get excited when there is a problem and I need to think creatively to solve it.

What do you wish you had known when you started out as a student/in this field?

Practice your art frequently.“Failure” is not a dirty word.Share your early works with people who will offer constructive criticism.“Constructive Criticism” means advising to improve.Find your audience.

In your office, you can only have three things, one book, one tool, and one picture. What would they be and why?

“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” – no matter what I need, reflecting on the basics can get me through. Share. Play fair. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say sorry when you hurt somebody. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Take a nap every afternoon.

Pad of paper and something to write with – This is a unit, these two tools are useless without the other – so they are a single tool. “Try and change my mind”.

Goofy picture of my kids to remind me to1) keep it simple;2) find the funny;3) communicate in three sentences or less (get to the point).