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Art Center wraps up poetry week

ELKINS — At 7 p.m. today, The Arts Center wraps up its month-long celebration of National Poetry Month with a concert of Appalachian music and poetry.

The evening will feature a reading by West Virginia Poet Laureate Marc Harshman, a reading of poems by Doug Van Gundy, and a concert of mountain music featuring Harshman and Van Gundy playing Appalachian songs.

Harshman’s second full-length collection of poems, “Believe what you can,” was recently published by The Vandalia Press of West Virginia University and is the winner of this year’s Weatherford Award from the Appalachian Studies Association. His four chapbooks of poetry include “Rose of Sharon.”

Periodical publications include The Georgia Review, Emerson Review, Salamander, 14 Hills, Poetry Salzburg Review, The Chariton Review and many others in the U.S. and abroad.

His poems have been anthologized by Kent State University, the University of Iowa, University of Georgia, SPM Publications and the University of Arizona.

His 13 children’s books include “The Storm,” a Smithsonian Notable Book and his newly released, “One Big Family.” His 14th children’s title, “Fallingwater,” co-written with Anna Smucker, about Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic house, is forthcoming from Roaring Brook/Macmillan later this year.

This past spring he was invited to read at the Greenwich Book Festival in London. His monthly show for West Virginia Public Radio, “The Poetry Break,” began airing in January. Harshman holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale University Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as recent honorary doctorates from West Liberty Univeersity and Bethany College.

He was born and raised in Randolph County, Indiana, and has lived his adult life in northern West Virginia.

Van Gundy teaches in both the BA and MFA writing programs at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he also directs the undergraduate Honors Program.

His poems, essays and reviews have appeared in many journals, including The Oxford American, Ecotone, Appalachian Heritage and Poetry Salzburg Review.

His first collection of poems, “A Life Above Water,” is published by Red Hen Press.

He is co-editor of the new anthology “Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods: Contemporary Writing from West Virginia.”

Van Gundy also plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin and harmonica in the old-time string band, Born Old.

Kurt Barkley, The Arts Center’s executive director, said he is pleased to feature the Poet Laureate Harshman and Van Gundy in this setting.

“We want to conclude National Poetry Month by allowing these distinguished West Virginia poets to showcase all of their talents,” Barkley said.

For ticket information for this event, please contact The Arts Center office. For additional information contact The Arts Center office at 304-637-2355, or visit the website at www.randolpharts.org.

The Randolph County Community Arts Center is committed to the accommodation of all persons with disabilities. Specially-designated parking spaces are conveniently located behind the office, facing Elkins City Park.

For more information or to inquire about accessibility options provided, please contact The Art Center at 304-637-2355.

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