Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz
The Original Lyrical Trash Artist
Happy Queer Liberation Month!
I'm a multidisciplinary lyrical trash artist and the creative director at Velvet Rasputin LLC. I enjoy building bridges between people of diverse belief systems, cultures and genders, while engaging in pursuits that reflect my love for research and learning.
I'm also a queer Boricua drag/burlesque performer, cat parent and researcher residing in Rice, MN. I began experimenting with DIY neurohacking, assistive technologies, trashy creative expressions and healing traditions in my early twenties to cope with mental illness and addiction. Now a teetotaler in a happy household dynamic, I continue to use creative expression, language studies, identity explorations and technology to explore the boundaries of the human experience in our world.I’m a heavily-influenced by b-movies and Christianity, as well as the kink, punk, goth, glam rock, and zine/mini-comics subcultures. I find great joy in community building, nature and rural living, as well as elevating the wonders of trash.
Why trash? Isn't TRASH BAD?
Trash is any object, person or form of art that's denigrated because of its social unacceptability or perceived lack of value. Things and folks deemed as "trash" tend to be demonized as "gross" or "dirty" before being discarded, maligned or ignored.Trash in it of itself may or not be these things. Sadly, most people don't give it a single thought before tossing it out. I know this, because I'm treasured trash that once wasn't.I don't need to turn trash into treasures. Trash is a misunderstood, messy and sometimes broken treasure, like humanity. I love collaborating with trash so I can showcase its wonder.
Adventures With Vas
I love connecting with folks and sharing my experiences with them. Learn about what I do.
Events and Appearances
No Cookies For You! @ Coffee At The Folly
The Folly - Moorhead, MN - 6/22/2025 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join Vas for a conversation on fostering diversity, creating an environment of inclusivity within progressive spaces, and learning how to accept discomfort in the process of developing allyship as an alternative to destructive praise-seeking behaviors.Hispanic Heritage Festival
Lake George, MN - St Cloud, MN - 9/13/2025 3:00 p.m.
Join Vas and Naomi at the Velvet Rasputin table to purchase zines, chapbooks, art and to make maraca-inspired instruments out of recycled materials.
National Day On Writing: Get To Know Cinquains And Rice's Trains
Royalton, MN - 4/2026
Join award-winning Minnesota poet, Vas Wojtanowicz, as we take a historical locomotive ride for our National Poetry Day Celebration! Find inspiration in Delano's fascinating railroad legacy as we learn how to write the cinquain, a Japanese-inspired American style of poetry. (All ages.)
Praise For Vas
Local History and Poetry Presentations
(Anonymous Feedback From Actual Participants)
❤️ "Vas is a joy to work with."
❤️ "I learned that poetry doesn't need to be hard in order to try it."
❤️ "(I) learned how to write poetry."
Burlesque, Drag, and Trash Lyricism Performances
❤️"(Vas is) the hardest workin' (person) in show business, at least that's my opinion. Anyways, (they are) damned talented, that's for sure... Those of us lucky enough to run across these stories are invited to come into (Vas's) looking-glass world if we dare. I hope you do... I dare ya." - Trish Lewis
❤️"(The spoken word performance of "Survive") doesn’t just throw glitter at your face; it shoves it down your throat, kicks your soul in rhinestone heels, and somehow kisses your forehead after. "Survive" is less a poem and more a smoky backstage monologue from a punk-rock Lazarus, resurrected via red feather boa and sheer audacity. It waltzes through suicidal ideation, closet trauma, glam rock salvation, and queer community magic with the confidence of someone who’s made peace with their inner goblin and dressed it in flared pants. It’s raw, unruly, gloriously messy like divine drag at a dive bar sermon!" - Kelly Travis
AI Ethics For Creative Folks Workshops
(Anonymous Feedback From Actual Participants)
❤️ "Great job translating the topic from nerd to normal people English."
❤️ "A lot of energy, tons of info."
❤️ "Knowledgeable about AI in artistic spaces."
❤️ "WOW! A ton of information. Really happy to have the thorough handouts to refer to at any time. Great job!"
❤️ "Excellent presenter. A lot of good information to refer back to. The insight was great, and the presenter was very engaging."
Writing In Search Of Identity Mini-Retreat
(Anonymous Feedback From Actual Participants)
❤️ "Great job, Vas! I really enjoyed the space and the diverse community. I felt relaxed and glad to be there. I liked the stickers etc. and playful activities. I LOVED the food, snacks, and the connection with your family's recipes and traditions."
❤️ "Helpful: Getting the 2 halves of the equation 'right': the intimacy of exposure, and the art of telling."
❤️ "I have never been involved in a writing retreat and I was unaware of the different ideas that could give me inspiration."
❤️"I think it was an amazing presentation. I think you should expand the presentation to other cities."
Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz
Recent Relevant Experience
(References, complete CV from 1997-2025 available upon request. Page updated monthly.)
Queer Voices Mid-Career Retreat
ARC Retreat Community, Stanchfield, MN - 6/14/2025
Facilitated a junk journal creation workshop, engaged in a small group workshopping exercise with facilitation by Sun Yung Shin. Worked on developing literary work.
Junk Journaling With Vas
Whitney Senior Center in conjunction with St Cloud Pride | Whitney Senior Center- St Cloud, MN - 6/12/2025
Facilitated a junk journal creation workshop.
May 17: Celebrate Queer Voices
St. Cloud Women's March, Central Minnesota Women Rising and St. Cloud Pride | Stearns County Courthouse, MN - St Cloud, MN - 5/17/2025.
Poetry reading
Celebrate Culture, Creativity, and Community!
United Way | Apollo High School - St Cloud, MN - 5/17/2025
Demonstrated and taught how to make maraca-inspired instruments made out of plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls, rubber bands and textile scraps.
Using AI Ethically In Poetry
Great River Poets | Great River Regional Library, St Cloud, MN - 5/6/2025
Facilitated a discussion on ethics regarding the use of AI tools and poetry.
Get To Know Cinquains And Delano Trains
Delano Great River Regional Library | Delano, MN - 4/24/2025
Research Delano's history; facilitated historical poetry event and provided instruction on how to write a cinquain.
Using AI Ethically In Creative Fields
Rosemount Area Arts Council
Writers Festival and Book Fair | Steeple Center, Rosemount, MN - 3/15/2025
Presented on the possibilities and pitfalls of artificial intelligence, while minimizing harm when using it as a poet. Presentation included discussion and a live demonstration.
Using AI Ethically In Poetry
Blizzard Writers' Poetry Retreat | Wykoff, MN - 1/23/2025-1/26/2025
Presented on the possibilities and pitfalls of artificial intelligence, while minimizing harm when using it as a poet. Presentation included discussion and a live demonstration.
CARE Workshops
Community Anti-Racism Educaton | Various Locations - Greater St. Cloud Area | 10/29/2024; 11/4/2024; 2/1/2025; 3/28/2025
Served as a documenting artist and facilitating artist for Lyricality to help participants create sensory tools.
Writing In Search Of Identity Mini-Retreat
Wildflower Terrace, Sauk Rapids, MN | 10/19/2024
Co-facilitator; performer; created limited edition journals for distribution to participants; co-created educational materials; handled accommodations for disabilities and neurodiversity; provided hospitality to participants.
The Ghost Village of Langola: A Spooky History and Poetry Adventure
Royalton Great River Regional Library, Royalton, MN | 10/18/2024
Facilitated event; researched the history of the Village of Langola and scouted potential location; created educational handouts; carried out presentation; educated participants on Fibonacci poetry.
Recent Grants and Awards
Mississippi Poetry Society
2025 Contest - 3rd Place Finnanegans Award Winner; 3rd Place Video Award Winner; Unheard Voices Award Honorable Mention
Central Minnesota Arts Board
Fiscal Year 2025 Learning Grant Recipient
Lake Country Journal
2nd Place 2024 Poetry Contest Winner
Comprehensive CV Available On Request
Education and Certifications
Queering Identities: LGBTQ+ Sexuality and Gender Identity
University of Colorado System
In progress
Central Minnesota Arts Board Teaching Artist Roster Program
In progress
Spiritual First Aid
Certificate current until 5/2026
Brave Space/Safe Space Certification
Community Health Improvement - CentraCare
Certificate current until 4/2027
Unfurling At The Speed Of Trust
Completed on 4/16/2025
Education funded by a Central Minnesota Arts Board Learning Grant
CliftonStrenghts® Asessment
Certificate of Talent
Arranger. Strategic, Learner, Individualization, Self-Assurance
Completed on 2/13/2025
Department of Defense Approved Stop The Bleed Course Completion Certificate
Rice Fire Department
Completed on 10/26/2024
Need A Creative Helper?
I love doing presentations, collaborative events, educational events, public speaking engagements, facilitation, demos and readings! Here are some of my favorite topics that I feel pretty confident about:
History: I love nerding out and learning about new historical facts to share. My presentation tends to be a side-effect of my research for art projects.
Autobiographical narrative: Folks seem to find my life interesting and full of insights that often subvert social expectations. I spent much of my adult life as a model and a burlesque/drag performer who danced along with saucy puppet shows as part of the Velvet Rasputin and Androgyny Kings troupes. My trick hooping while drawing and singing act gained enough notoriety for me to give a symposium on hula hooping at the Walker Art Center. This isn't even the half of it!
Trash art: Found object art is what prissy rich ladies with pale complexions do. I started making trash art because I had to dumpster dive to eat when I hit rock bottom, and I ended up finding art supplies. I don't turn trash into treasure; it's already a treasure someone else failed to appreciate. I love helping folks discover how amazing (and more sustainable) trash art is. I find this to be especially true when that art helps soothe nerve during tough conversations.
Poetry and prose: I love readings, and sharing my thoughts on the creative process. I'd rather not compete in poetry slams or rap battles. I don't want to judge competitions, either.
AI ethics and drug/implant-free neurohacking: On August 12, 2022, at The Veranda Lounge, during the St. Cloud Art Crawl, I became the first exhibited fine artist to openly collaborate with AI technology in Central MN. I'm an aspiring cyborg who depends heavily on AI to coexist with my disabilities. I'm a huge advocate for ethical AI use that prioritizes artist-welfare and creativity over profit. Furthermore, I believe that folks should still do the creative work.
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility: Yeah, I realize some people think that this makes me woke, but I actually like to cover these topics because I'm too damn tired of nonsense and I want people to find their inner awesomeness as they navigate their communities.
Want to see what I've done lately? Check out the resume page.
Interested in what I have to offer? Contact Velvet Rasputin LLC for more information.
Lyrical Trash Art
Intentions And Influences
Lyrical Trash Art
The lyrical trash art creative movement is heavily influenced by Boricua (Puerto Rican) folk art, American late 1990's New Age jewelry making, Russian neo-primitive art, underground comix, 1990's 'zine aesthetics, the lyrical abstraction movement, the fluxus movement, punk DIY-ethos and queer/fetish/goth fashion.Lyrical trash art was born out of desperation when I searched for food inside my apartment building's dumpster, after reaching the lowest point in my life around late 1997, and early 1998. There, I found art supplies and hope. The first pieces were made of leftover beads, wire and, sometimes, rocks. When I sold my first piece at a consignment shop, I finally saw a ray of hope. At that time, poetry provided me one of the few creative outlets I could afford. As time went on, I began using this technique to make more practical things, like puppets, which I incorporated into my performance art.The original version of lyrical trash art further evolved, with influence from my comic art and neural style transfer photography collaborations with AI. Ultimately, lyrical trash art has evolved towards a more multidisciplinary mindset than a single approach towards creativity.From inception, lyrical trash art has most-often involved the wrapping of objects with textiles or wire as a stimming activity that I could easily hide from judgemental neurotypical eyes. Lyrical trash art's gaudy color schemes and chaotic patterns reflect the experience of my tactile, visual and auditory hallucinations. Lyrical trash art can also include literary expression, with an affinity towards "childish" and "uncultured" forms of expression.The most practical use for lyrical trash art and its variants is trauma processing. It is, above all, a tool for healing.
Gutterotica: Lyrical Trash Arts Wicked Offsprinng
At the time of what was known as the "smuttery and puppetry period", around 2005, the Catnose Comics collective collaborated with UK-based shock art collective, SBE. In this context, lyrical trash art gave shape to a more extreme and socially unacceptable adjacent movement known as "gutterotica". A precursor of gutterotica which shares all of its characteristics, can be traced back as far as 1985 to the Phantasy Star fanzine, "Mini Misfits of the Motavian Moon," which in turn was inspired by two separate 20th century Japanese art movements.Although I no longer create new gutterotica works, the movement is still influential in queer underground webcomic and literary circles, and I will not disown it. If you are interested in learning about gutterotica's guiding principles, you may read The Gutterotica Manifesto. Content Warning: contains vulgar language, upsetting topics and a confrontational tone. Recommended for 17+ readers.
Lyrical Trash Lyricism
For more on Vas's queer literary work, visit TanamaKao.com
Published Works Online
This is not a comprehensive list of my published works, as it does not include lost media, zines or self-published works. If you know of other works that should be listed here, please contact me.
Sherbourne County History Center
Poetry Showcase Voting - 4/1/2025
A Postcard For Tena
FUMC Newsletter
January 2025 newsletter
Testimony Poem - Final Version
New Member Introduction at Love First United Methodist Church
12/12/2024
Testimony Poem - First Draft - timestamp: 45:47- 47:25
CARE Artifacts
Anti-Racism Wellness Check - 4/25/2024
Shark Teeth - A CARE collective anti-racist poetic parable in conjunction with Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz, a facilitating artist for Lyricality.
CARE Artifacts
Anti-Racism Wellness Check - 3/26/2024
The Center is in the Margins - An accidental collective chatbook - Antiracism Wellness Check for CARE - 3/26/2024.
Penkiln Burn
THE LIFE MODEL
"The Life Model, purports to be a memoir by Bill Drummond at 70, imagined through the minds of 168 separate individuals... Read by Bill Drummond."
Hungry For Ice Cream - timestamp: 8:33
Lake Home Journal Poetry Contest 2024 (2nd Place Winner)
October/November 2024 Issue
Blue Skies of Possibility
Multiracial Activist
11/01/1999
Smart Cookie
Puerto Rican Woman
#Poem On Bluesky: You can see my micropoems, some of my ideas in progress and other poetry here. Follow me on Bluesky while you're out it. (Mature audiences)
Fantasy Girl: (Mature audiences) Warning: contains references to sexual assault, sex work and retaliation. Poem can be found in the author's note.
KNOWN PUBLISHED WORKS OFFLINE
This is not a comprehensive list of my published works, as it does not include lost media, zines or self-published works. If you know of other works that should be listed here, please contact me.
Mississippi Poetry Journal
2025 Contest Edition
5/2025 - page 160
Lost in Space
Mississippi Poetry Journal
2025 Contest Edition
5/2025 - page 105
Not All Boys Play Baseball
Monticello Times
Volume 157 Number 37
4/24/2025 - Page 17
A postcard for Tena
THE LIFE MODEL (Hardback Edition)
January 2024 - Page Unknown
I'm Hungry For Ice Cream
St Cloud Star Tribune
4/15/2010 - Page 37
Hula Hooping In The ParkRed Weather
Spring 1997 - Page 11
Thus Spoke The Fallen TelevangelistRed Weather
Spring 1995 - Page 56
My Gerbil Died On Easter 1994Sueños y Pensamientos
Spring 1995 - Page 55
The Quilt
SIDARed Weather
Spring 1994 - Page 7
Crow Eats RoadkillSueños y Pensamientos
Spring 1993 - Page 17
Piano Gren * Dahl
Contact
Use the links below to contact Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz