Pulitzer Prize-winner and Hollins University alumna
Natasha Trethewey did a reading at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke, Virginia on Friday, in celebration of the new edition of the
Artemis Journal. Trethewey served two terms as the 19th Poet Laureate of the United States under Barack Obama from 2012-2014. Meanwhile, the
Artemis Journal has been publishing since 1977. Begun as an advocate of civil rights and in defense of domestic abuse victims, Artemis "highlights the voices of artists and writers who uphold the values of the Greek lunar goddess for which the journal was named." The journal brings together an annual showcase of exceptional writing and art primarly from creators in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
While Trethewey has offered one of her poems for the publication every year, she rarely makes it to town to do an actual reading. Luckily, this year she did! It was part of her celebrating her forthcoming release, The House of Being (Why I Write) (April 2025).
I had the pleasure of having lunch with librarian Sheila Umberger, the director of our Roanoke libraries, and Jeri Rogers, the founder and editor of the journal, a few months ago when the idea of inviting Trethewey to town was first being discussed. What a pleasure it was to be around such dynamic women who make such powerful things happen in the community. Because truly, this was a magical event. First, the Taubman is such a lovely and welcoming space, and the area where Trethewey spoke was filled with gold chairs, color-lit walls, and smiling faces as she read poem after breathtaking poem.
I attended with several neighborhood friends, Julie, Don, and new neighbors Allan, Ginger, and Laurie; however, I somehow didn't get a photo of us, but did get a photo of Emily and James, our Hollins Registrar and my boss, the currently-titled director of graduate studies. They've become good friends. In all, there were tons of people I knew at the event from Hollins and the neighborhood; so, me being me, I had fun flitting around like a social butterfly saying 'hi' to everyone.
You can purchase a copy of this year's
Artemis Journal by clicking
HERE.
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