The art of poetry is being celebrated throughout the month of April in local schools, bookstores and libraries.
National Poetry Month each April is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary event curators, publishers, bloggers and poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives, according to the Academy of American Poets, which started the commemoration in 1996.
Morley Library in Painesville is offering two events for aspiring and established local poets.
A published author and educator, Mitch James, will instruct a free poetry writing workshop for anyone wanting to develop their skills from 6 to 8 p.m. April 12.
To sign up for his workshop, register at morleylibrary.org.
The writing workshop is also a great way to prepare for Morley’s first Poetry Slam on April 26.
Participants will have five minutes to express themselves in slam style poetry.
The Poetry Slam starts at 6:30 p.m. and two Lake Erie College professors will serve as judges.
Adam Stier, assistant professor of English and Katie Krammer, associate professor of special education, will use their diverse knowledge of language, literary style and creative writing to pronounce the grand prize winner.
Stier is an expert in American literature, narrative theory and popular culture who holds a bachelor’s degree in literature and creative writing and master’s and doctoral degrees in literature, according to the news release.
Krammer, meanwhile, holds a bachelor’s in elementary education, a master’s in education with an emphasis in deaf education and a doctoral degree in special education with an emphasis in teacher education, the release also said.
Stier and Krammer will be joined by James to judge the competition.
Prizes include a $100 gift card for first place.
Poetry Slam participants may begin registering to perform at 6 p.m. April 26 at Morley Library, 184 Phelps St.
For more information about the Poetry Slam or workshop, contact Morley Library at 440-352-3383, ext. 303.
National Poetry Month aims to highlight the legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets, encourage the reading of poems, assist teachers in bringing poetry into their classrooms, increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media, encourage increased publication and distribution of poetry books, and encourage support for poets and poetry, the Academy of American Poets said.