Libraries Host Fourth Annual Earth Day M.F.A. Poetry Reading April 22

Graphic Design by Michelle Gibeault

Original artwork "Girl with Death Mask" by Frieda Kahlo.

Join University Libraries and Open Mouth Reading Series for the fourth annual Earth Day M.F.A. Poetry Reading at 2 p.m. this Sunday, April 22, at Mount Sequoyah Gardens Park. This event is free and open to the public and will proceed rain or shine.

Poets & Writers magazine consistently ranks the U of A program in Creative Writing and Translation in the top M.F.A. programs among hundreds nationwide. Molly Rector, a graduate of the program who now runs the nonprofit Open Mouth Reading Series describes the purpose for the event:

"Poetry readings serve many functions," said Rector. "In addition to the fact that they are essential for working poets who are trying to publicize their work, they diversify exposure to art, enabling audiences to connect with poetry in a way that feels alive. Reading out loud and listening to poetry read out loud engages the body — the breath, the ear — in addition to the intellect and emotions. It helps people feel that they have access to an art form that many of us have been told is difficult to understand."

The reading will feature poets David Brunson, Emma Van Dyke and Josh Luckenbach, among others.