National Poetry Month

Ellen Kort, Wisconsin’s first Poet Laureate, will be reading her poetry and talking about her work on Monday, April 29 at 7:00pm in the Pinery Room of the Charles White Public Library in Stevens Point.

Ms. Kort is the author of 11 books, including seven books of poetry. Her most recent book is Wisconsin Women and Their Quilts: Stories in the Stitches. She teaches a poetry course at UW-Green Bay, facilitates a variety of workshops, and always carries a bucket of glow-in-the-dark chalk in case she sees a sidewalk in need of a poem!  In the second year of her four-year appointment as the state’s poet laureate, Kort brings an energy and enthusiasm to spreading the power of poetry. The Appleton resident travels the state offering readings and workshops and strives to inspire the poetry in everyone.  In addition to her books of poetry, her work has appeared in numerous anthologies. She also welcomes the chance to take poems off the written page and put them in places accessible to people. She herself has been known to write poems in chalk on the sidewalks of Appleton.  Kort’s work has also been adapted for the stage by the New York Dance Theater and used in art exhibits.  Her poems have been architecturally incorporated in downtown Milwaukee’s Midwest Express Center, the Green Bay Botanical Gardens and the Fox River Mall in Appleton. Ms. Kort’s poetry has been performed by the New York City Dance Theater and recorded on audiocassette by Ellen Burstyn, Ed Asner, CCH Pounder and Alfre Woodard.

This free event is sponsored by the Association of Portage County Librarians, Portage County Public Library, UWSP Library, Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers Association, and the Evelyn Schultz Fund of the PCPL Foundation.

A variety of Ms. Kort’s books will be available for purchase. The evening will conclude with light refreshment and conversation. Everybody is welcome!