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| Spring 2011 Broadsides Reading Series, featuring Jessica Elsaesser (pictured) and Mei Mei Berssenbrugg |
Though we often focus these blog posts on the bookbinding and letterpress art done at the Center for Book Arts, the CBA has programs for the writer, as well. One of these programs is the Spring Broadsides Reading Series, where we invite poets to read their work for a night of poetry, wine, and fun. Each guest also gets a beautiful, limited-edition broadside, printed by artists at the Center for Book arts, signed by the authors. There is a $10 suggested donation ($5 CBA members) and the events are always lovely. Whether you are a practicing artist or poet, an aspiring one, or someone who likes to hear poetry read aloud, the Spring Broadsides event is a great place to relax, meet others, have a glass of wine, and enjoy a night of art!
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| Mei Mei Berssenbrugg reading her poetry, Spring 201 |
Wednesday, May 2nd, at 6:30pm will be the first in a series of three Spring 2012 Broadsides Readings. The first event will be featuring poets Elizabeth Willis and Caroline Knox and organized by James Walsh. Both writers will be presenting original poems, including one published as a letterpress-printed broadside that guests can take home with them. Willis was just named a Guggenheim Fellow for 2012, and is a recipient of a Walter N. Thayer Fellowship for the Arts (among many other honors) and she has been included in the National Poetry Series for her collection of poems,
The Human Abstract. Knox is the author of seven poetry collections and her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines, including
The Paris Review and
The Best American Poetry 1988 and
1994. She has also received the Bess Hokin Prize from
Poetry magazine as well as an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (among others).
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| Guests enjoying the post-reading chat (2011) |
Each Spring, the Broadsides Readings are big hits at the Center. Different poets are brought in each time, and the range and flavor of their voices are unique and beautiful. The limited-edition broadsides, printed by the artists at the Center, combine the words of the poet with the visual design of the letterpress artist into a special memento for the night. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and when the poets finish reading you may even get the chance to check out our latest exhibitions (which opened last week and will be up until June 30th, 2012!), the printshop, and the binderies after-hours. Either way, the poetry is great and it's always a good time!
The Center for Book Arts has two other upcoming readings in their Spring 2012 series. The second will be Wednesday, May 30th, featuring Joseph Donahue and Michael O'Brien. The third will be on Wednesday, June 27th. Be sure to check out our
upcoming events page for more details!
-Christina Squitieri
Have any stories about your favorite event at the CBA? Want to give us suggestions or comments? Just want to say hi? Comment on this post, email us at info@centerforbookarts.org, visit us on Facebook (/centerforbookarts) or follow us on Twitter (@center4bookarts). Can't wait to see you there!
