08/17/2018

Ohio Poet Laureate launches free syndicated column for papers

Ohio Poet Laureate Dave Lucas has launched a syndicated column that aims to challenge people's preconceptions of poetry. The column, titled  "Poetry For People Who Hate Poetry," is being provided through the Ohio Arts Council and is available at no cost to newspapers who wish to print it.

To download the first three columns, click here.

The column is based on a course of a similar name that Lucas teaches at Case Western Reserve University. Through this series of columns, Lucas hopes to promote poetry as an art form that is accessible to all.

If any papers wish to continue to receive Lucas' column for publication after the first three columns, email Justin Nigro, Operations & Public Affairs Director at the Ohio Arts Council, at justin.nigro@oac.ohio.gov.

MEET OHIO’S CURRENT POET LAUREATE

As a native Ohioan, born in Cleveland, Dave Lucas earned his B.A. (English) at John Carroll University, M.F.A. (Creative Writing) at the University of Virginia, and M.A. and Ph.D. (English Language and Literature) at the University of Michigan. He has been an instructor at Case Western Reserve University; the Cleveland Clinic Program in Medical Humanities, Lerner College of Medicine; the John Carroll Young Writers Workshop; and Sweet Briar/James Madison University.

His achievements have included: The Reva and David Logan Foundation, For Your Gift grant award; the Cleveland Arts Prize, Emerging Artist in Literature; and a Creative Workforce Fellowship from the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture in Greater Cleveland. His work, Weather, was awarded the 2012 Ohioana Book Award in Poetry. His poems are anthologized in The Bedford Introduction to Literature and Best New Poets 2005, among other publications.

During his time as poet laureate, Lucas said he wants to help Ohioans use poetry to understand and enhance their lives. He is planning a multimedia project involving people from diverse places and backgrounds allowing them to experience a variety of opinions about poetry.

ABOUT THE OHIO POET LAUREATE PROGRAM

The Ohio Poet Laureate has the opportunity to foster the art of poetry, encourage literacy and learning, address central issues relating to the humanities and heritage, and encourage the reading and writing of poetry across the state. 

Throughout a two-year term, the Ohio Poet Laureate undertakes a significant cultural project, such as bringing poetry to people or to a region of the state that might otherwise be underserved in this regard. The Ohio Poet Laureate engages a variety of constituencies, enriching the lives of residents by sharing and promoting poetry through public appearances, readings, workshops, and digital and social media.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov.