Donkey Coffee and Espresso’s designated space event provides Ohio University students and Athens locals with a friendly environment to share any literary, prose or spoken word.
When the clock hits 9 p.m. each Tuesday at 17 ½ W. Washington St., participants take to Donkey’s stage to share their creative projects including poetry and other forms of innovative expression.
Shana Collins, a senior studying psychology and women’s and gender sexuality studies, runs designated space at Donkey.
“I am one of the hosts, and I’ve been a host since October 2023, so this is my third school year doing it,” Collins said.
Collins said the event mainly attracts Bobcats but is not an exclusive atmosphere.
”Sometimes we do also have community members come in as well, like middle-aged millennials, that type of people come in,” Collins said. “It’s not open just for the students but for the entire community.”
With the university receiving a D- from the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression’s annual report, as covered in a recent issue by The Post, creative speech may be more important now than ever for Bobcats.
Designated space was originally intended for participants to showcase their writing or literary projects, but other artistic forms are invited and encouraged.
“There’s also been some singing, some rapping and some comedy before,” Collins said.
Jacob Stoker, manager at Donkey, said the event’s popularity varies from week to week, however, designated space draws in a consistent fifteen to twenty people.
“They typically don’t have set topics, but sometimes they do,” Stoker said. “I know occasionally they’ve done survivor advocacy nights, and those get a little bit more of a turnout. Suicide awarness nights, those tend to get more…so it’s moderately popular.”
Nestled in the back of Donkey, surrounded by cozy chairs and dim lighting, the stage beckons students to articulate their imaginations in a safe atmosphere outside of the classroom.
Atlas Powell, a sophomore studying psychology, is a poetry enthusiast and has been attending designated space since the beginning of her freshman year.
“I just like the space of Donkey,” Powell said. “First of all, it feels really welcoming, and it’s very queer friendly, and it was just a really nice environment.”
Powell said designated space is low pressure, and performers do not have to fear facing harsh backlash.
“There’s really nothing to lose, you’re not obligated to stay for any amount of time,” Powell said. “If you like writing poetry, if you just like listening to it, I mean there’s a lot of inspiration you can get from other people. Donkey is just a wonderful place anyway.”
In addition to its inclusive atmosphere, designated space connects like-minded folks.
“I think getting to meet people is fun, but also having an outlet myself to perform because I don’t always get the opportunity to do that,” Collins said.
Donkey’s prose and fiction night also supplies a “third space” for students and locals. According to New Ground International, the concept of a “third space,” first discussed by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, “refers to a social environment distinct from home and work, where individuals can gather, relax and engage in meaningful interactions.”
“To my knowledge, none of the other shops around town have a space for these kinds of events,” Stoker said. “(We have) home, work and then that third space. This gives everyone another outlet to do stuff.”
Whether a new or returning customer, the Donkey staff welcomes everyone on Tuesday nights to explore a world of poetry, prose and other literary performances.
“I really love running designated space, and I’ve done it for so long,” Collins said. “I get to meet new people and get to have people help me and whatnot. It’s going to be sad when I’m done, but I think it’ll be left in good hands for sure.”