William Stafford
Commemorative Poetry Event
January 17, 2010
Oregon's Most Famous Poet
Columbia Center for the Arts and The Friends of William Stafford present the 2010 William Stafford Commemorative Poetry Event on Sunday, January 17, 2009 from 2-4 pm at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River.
The event is FREE and open to the public. Donations appreciated.
“I have an appetite for finding the perfect fit of language with the experience of life as you’re having it right now. Every now and then you can break off a piece of that and call it a poem.” —William Stafford
Program
The program opens with a welcome by Catherine Butler, program manager, Columbia Center for the Arts, followed by a short presentation by Leah Stenson, titled: About the Friends of William Stafford.
Guest Poets
The bulk of the program consists of poetry readings by guest poets including:
- Blue Ackerman
- Tiel Aisha Ansari
- Tina Castañares
- Paula Friedman
- Jodie Marion
- Mary Schlick
- Leah Stenson
Audience Involvement
After the presenters, members of the audience are invited to read a favorite Stafford poem or to tell a personal anecdote about the late Oregon poet laureate.
Who Is William Stafford
William Stafford was an extremely prolific writer, authoring 67 volumes in his 79 years.
His first book of poetry, West of Your City, was published in 1960 when he was 46 years old. By 1963 he had won the National Book Award for Traveling Through the Dark. He went on to win the Shelley Award from the Poetry Society of America, served as the Poetry Consultant for the Library of Congress (1970-71) and was appointed Oregon Poet Laureate in 1975 by Governer Tom McCall.
As an enormously admired writer, he traveled thousands of miles each year to give readings and to encourage aspiring poets throughout the United States, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, Austria, Poland and many other countries.
He died in his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, in August of 1993.
More Information
Click to learn more about the Friends of William Stafford.
For more information about the event, contact Leah Stenson.