Local Arts Agencies Announce
First Piedmont Laureate:
Jaki Shelton Green
First Piedmont Laureate:
Jaki Shelton Green
Orange County poet Jaki Shelton Green has been selected as the region’s first Piedmont Laureate.
With the key goal “to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region,” the Piedmont Laureate program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing. The Laureate will present public readings and workshops, participate at select public functions, and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of literature.
The new program is co-sponsored by United Arts, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council and the Orange County Arts Commission.
Jaki Shelton Green received the NC Award for Literature in 2003 and the Sam Ragan Award in 2007. Her publications include Dead on Arrival, Dead on Arrival and New Poems, Masks, Conjure Blues, singing a tree into dance, breath of the song, and Blue Opal, a play. Her poetry has appeared in publications such as Solo Press, The Crucible, The African-American Review, Obsidian, Ms. Magazine, Essence Magazine, KAKALAK, Poets for Peace, Emigration, Immigration, and Diversity, Callaloo, and the ringling ear, Black Poets Lean South Anthology published by Cave Canem, and the PEDESTAL Poetry Journal. She lives in Mebane, NC.
Applications for the laureate position were received from poets living in a three-county area, and a selection committee reviewed all the applications and made recommendations. The Laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 and serve for one year.
With the key goal “to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont region,” the Piedmont Laureate program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing. The Laureate will present public readings and workshops, participate at select public functions, and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of literature.
The new program is co-sponsored by United Arts, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council and the Orange County Arts Commission.
Applications for the laureate position were received from poets living in a three-county area, and a selection committee reviewed all the applications and made recommendations. The Laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 and serve for one year.
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