The Waimea Arts Council in collaboration with Pacific Raven Press is delighted to host an inspiring evening of poetry on Friday, March 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. This special event will feature local and visiting poets whose work resonates with contemporary art’s beauty and emotional depth. In the intimate gallery space, attendees will experience a dynamic fusion of visual and literary expression.
The evening will showcase the talents of:
- Karla Brundage – is founder of West Oakland to West Africa Poetry Exchange and author of three poetry collections: the award-winning Blood Lies: Race Trait(or), Swallowing Watermelons, and co-author of Mulatta–Not so Tragic. As editor and publisher for Pacific Raven Press, she has produced anthologies featuring writers from the San Francisco Bay Area, Hawaii, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, including Sisters Across Oceans, Our Spirits Carry Our Voices, and Black Rootedness: 54 Poets from Africa to America. Her media appearances include Sister Power on ThinkTech Hawaii, Write America: A Reading for Our Country, C-SPAN, LitSeen, Wanda’s Picks, and Chills at Will Podcast. (http://karlabrundage.com)
- Nancy L Baenziger Ph.D – Ph.D., writes poetry and health care policy journalism from Hawaii Island and Oregon’s Columbia Gorge. After careers as Midwest medical school professors, she and her husband Jacques—now her artistic collaborator—turned to creative work and founded 9 Volcanoes Publishing. Her poetry, from haiku to free verse, amplifies often overlooked voices. Her books include Protagonists (2023) and Citizens: Voices and Faces from a Tectonic Landscape (2024), which pairs her poems with Jacques’ photography. A third collaboration, Voices: A Cast of Characters Weighs In, is forthcoming. Learn more at 9volcanoespublishing.wordpress.com.
- Allison Francis Ph.D – is a Professor of English, Theatre and Performing Arts at Chaminade University of Honolulu. Her publications and scholarship include 19th Century Scottish Literature, Vodou in Haiti, Science Fiction and Fantasy in Women’s Literature, and African American and Afro-Caribbean Literature in the 19th Century. She is also an actor, director, playwright and international performance poet.
- Kathryn Waddell Takara Ph.D – A winner of the (BCF) 2010 American Book Award, Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, poet, has published eleven books of poetry, over four hundred poems, and numerous academic articles. Professor Emeritus of University of Hawai’i (2007), Takara is a pioneer of spoken word poetry in Hawaii, often accompanied by music and dance, and paved the way for Hawaii’s current upsurge in spoken word and poetry. She has produced and performed at hundreds of poetry events in the islands, on the mainland, and abroad, and sponsored nationally-acclaimed poets, writers, and political thinkers.
- Carol McMillan – Carol wrote her first poem in the third grade, and she’s never stopped. She has one published book of poetry chronicling a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, White Water, Red Walls. Carol also has a published memoir, Scriptless, covering Vietnam War protests in the San Francisco Bay Area, an entomology trip across Africa, and her teaching experience in inner-city Oakland. She is currently working on a memoir about her time living with rhesus monkeys
- HPA Students and English Teachers
- And if time allows, the event will feature an open mic session, during which attendees can share their original poetry.
The poets will explore themes of identity, resilience, nature, and cultural heritage, inviting the audience to engage in a thought-provoking dialogue between text and imagery.
“This poetry reading is a wonderful opportunity to bring together art lovers and literature enthusiasts,” said Jay West, Waimea Arts Council President. “Poetry, like visual art, can evoke deep emotions and spark meaningful conversations, making this evening a truly enriching experience.”
Guests are encouraged to mingle with the poets and fellow art appreciators while enjoying complimentary refreshments. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To RSVP, email Kbrundage@hpa.edu.
Join us for an evening celebrating the expressive power of poetry and art at the Firehouse Gallery, 67-1201 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743 For more information on the event or on our March exhibit “Making Visual Poetry”, call 808-887-1052.
