October 7, 2010 - 7:16am
The public is invited to celebrate the joy of poetry as Canadian poet Don McKay delivers this year’s VIU Gustafson Distinguished Poets Lecture.
The poetry reading and lecture takes place at VIU’s Nanaimo campus in the auditorium of Building 355 on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 pm. A catered reception and book-signing will follow the reading. Copies of Don McKay's books are available from the Bookstore on campus.
The author of twelve books of poetry and the winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize in 2007, McKay was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2008.
Entitled “From Here to Infinity (or so),” this year’s poetry reading and lecture explores how the infinite, or deep time, is embedded in hereness. McKay is widely recognized as a nature poet because many of his poems have an ecological focus.
His poetry has been praised for its fusion of technique and restrained emotion.
“Don McKay is one of the rare poets who still, truly, understands that poetry is a technology—in his hands it is brilliantly used to explore…just about anything. For me, he's a touchstone. Absolutely solid; absolutely unpredictable,” said Marilyn Bowering,
poet, novelist, and instructor of Creative Writing at VIU.
Known as a mentor to emerging writers, McKay will also meet with students and the public for an informal and lively discussion of the art of poetry. This afternoon event takes place on Oct. 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in Bldg. 355.
The public is welcome to attend both of these free events.
Funding is provided mainly by the Ralph and Betty Gustafson Trust which was established to support and recognize distinguished poets. Now in its twelfth year, the VIU Gustafson Distinguished Poets Lecture Series has in the past featured poets such as Carol Ann Duffy, Robert Bringhurst, and Patrick Lane.
Co-sponsoring these events are the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Departments of English and Creative Writing, and the Vancouver Writers' Festival.
For further information, contact Dale Wik, Interim Chair, Gustafson Committee, at dale.wik@viu.ca or 250-740-6191.
Tags: In the Community
