This past week at the Henry Art Gallery, campus writers, essayists, poets, singers — and one ukulele player — gathered to share their work at Quorum, a monthly literary open-mic night. Quorum, which refers to the minimum number of members required for a gathering, was, as it turned out, much more than its name would suggest.

Sponsored by the undergraduate-run literary journal Bricolage, the event attracted a diverse group of students and community members eager to read, listen or both. Many readers shared self-expressed “works in progress,” which made the reading interactive and often wildly spontaneous.

Senior creative writing major Seth Rasmussen was one such act, and I do mean “act,” as he both read poetry and played the ukelele, singing a narrative song entitled “Letter to Jonah.”

Rasmussen had read at previous Quorum open mics, which began in February, and said he enjoys the community inherent in the monthly gatherings.

“Until this year, I didn’t know many writers or have a place to share my work,” he said. “I really appreciate Bricolage for putting this together.”

Perhaps the person most deserving of Rasmussen’s appreciation, then, is Alden Lee, Quorum organizer and Bricolage poetry editor. Lee created the open-mic series as a means of emphasizing the people behind the poetry and fiction published in the annual journal.

“I was concerned that there wasn’t really a point of connection for Bricolage,” Lee said. “I wanted something that would be inclusive and tie Bricolage to the community.”

Since February, Lee has seen his project take off, attracting more and more participants and curious listeners by the month.

Last week, for the first time, the event included three featured readers, with each sharing longer pieces prior to the open-mic segment.

Graduate student Elissa Washuta was one of those featured, reading, “If This is Ghetto, Then so am I,” a humorous essay about living in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood.

Washuta, a second-year Master of Fine Arts student, has seen her writing benefit greatly from participating in events like Quorum.

“Readings are such great ways to get exposure for your work,” she said. “It really helps you recognize the strengths and weaknesses of a piece.”

For many, though, Quorum is simply a chance to be heard.

“For me, I don’t know what the point of writing is if no one hears it,” Rasmussen said.

As the two-hour reading proved, Rasmussen shares this interest with an artistic community that is well above the quorum.

Reach reporter Joe Darda at arts@dailyuw.com.