On July 31, 2009 the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, was awarded a Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak grant from the Wisconsin Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Woodland Pattern Book Center in Milwaukee, WI. One of 8 recipients, the Racine Public Library will use the gifted funds to host an event with nationally recognized poet Abraham Smith, in the fall of 2009.
The Racine Public Library has selected Abraham Smith, author of the book of poetry, Whim Man Mammon (2007), published by Action Books, as the guest author for a workshop and performance event on Friday, November 6, 2009. Smith will be working with area high school students during an afternoon workshop to help them develop their own poetic voice and written work. All participants will then be performing their poetry on a shared stage with Abe Smith during an evening program and reception.
The need and desire to reach young people and encourage their written and spoken self-expression is the motivation behind the Racine Public Library's choice of poet Abe Smith as the visiting author. His cutting edge and unique experimental poetry combined with his unusual performance style will appeal to young adults and teens, and will introduce them to a challenging genre they might not otherwise be exposed to. Smith's style will be of interest to audiences of contemporary poetry.
According to Woodland Pattern Book Center, "Abraham Smith hails from Ladysmith, Wisconsin. His first book of poems, Whim Man Mammon (2007), was recently published by Action Books. His journal credits include American Poetry Review, jubilat, Northwest Review, Denver Quarterly, Typo, and Ninth Letter, among others. He was a 2004-05 Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, MA. Presently, he teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Alabama." He placed 3rd in the 2001 Open Poetry Slam at the Taos Poetry Circus in New Mexico.
Smith's involvement in both the slam poetry culture and the academic world of poetry puts him in a unique position to bridge a gap between these two contentious schools of literature. Significant to the Racine Public Library's decision was the fact that Smith has had to actively avoid and has been successful at not being excluded from these two competing worlds. His history and his approach to the creative arts have proven that he is a writer that encourages unconventionality and the embracing of all forms of literature. His passion and joy for words is infectious and encouraging.
Further event details will be available in October 2009.
The Racine Public Library has selected Abraham Smith, author of the book of poetry, Whim Man Mammon (2007), published by Action Books, as the guest author for a workshop and performance event on Friday, November 6, 2009. Smith will be working with area high school students during an afternoon workshop to help them develop their own poetic voice and written work. All participants will then be performing their poetry on a shared stage with Abe Smith during an evening program and reception.
The need and desire to reach young people and encourage their written and spoken self-expression is the motivation behind the Racine Public Library's choice of poet Abe Smith as the visiting author. His cutting edge and unique experimental poetry combined with his unusual performance style will appeal to young adults and teens, and will introduce them to a challenging genre they might not otherwise be exposed to. Smith's style will be of interest to audiences of contemporary poetry.
According to Woodland Pattern Book Center, "Abraham Smith hails from Ladysmith, Wisconsin. His first book of poems, Whim Man Mammon (2007), was recently published by Action Books. His journal credits include American Poetry Review, jubilat, Northwest Review, Denver Quarterly, Typo, and Ninth Letter, among others. He was a 2004-05 Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, MA. Presently, he teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Alabama." He placed 3rd in the 2001 Open Poetry Slam at the Taos Poetry Circus in New Mexico.
Smith's involvement in both the slam poetry culture and the academic world of poetry puts him in a unique position to bridge a gap between these two contentious schools of literature. Significant to the Racine Public Library's decision was the fact that Smith has had to actively avoid and has been successful at not being excluded from these two competing worlds. His history and his approach to the creative arts have proven that he is a writer that encourages unconventionality and the embracing of all forms of literature. His passion and joy for words is infectious and encouraging.
Further event details will be available in October 2009.
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