In September 2008, the Wick Poetry Center will be hosting our annual event, Celebrating Our Own.  Our current scholarship winners and several of our former scholarship winners will visit Kent State University to read from their poetry.

In October we will host the 2007 Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize judge and winner, Djelloul Marbrook, author of Far from Algiers.  This book was chosen from over 600 manuscripts by Toi Derricotte, award-winning poet, memoirist, and co-founder of Cave Canem, the national organization committed to the discovery of new voices in African American poetry.  In November, two former first book authors and two former judges will return to Kent to give readings and participate in panel discussions.

In February 2009 former chapbook winners and the most recent chapbook competition winners, Kevin Oberlin and Ted Lardner, will read from their recent work.  Oberlin, author of Spotlit Girl and Lardner, author of Tornado will also participate in workshops and panel discussions, with previous winners, on the art of the chapbook.

Former Wick interns, assistants and fellows will return to give readings and to speak about their lives in the literary arts in March of 2009.  In April, musician and songwriter Hal Walker and area students and teachers who participate in the outreach program directed by David Hassler will perform in Giving Voice, which provides an opportunity for children from area schools to perform music and read poetry.  Our year-long celebration will culminate with a two-day event including an anniversary presentation slide show, a celebratory dinner, and open readings.

2008 – 2009 Wick Events Schedule

September 2008
"Celebrating Our Own" featuring Current and Past Wick Poetry Scholarship Winners

October 2008 
Judge and winner of the 2007 Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

November 2008
Past Winners and Judges of the Stan and Tom Wick Poetry Prize

February 2009
Current and Past Wick Poetry Chapbook Authors

March 2009
Current and Past Wick Poetry Center Interns, Assistants, and Fellows.

April 2009
Wick Poetry Center Outreach Program: "Giving Voice"
Anniversary presentations, celebratory dinner, and open readings