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Writer's Read Program to Feature Virginia Poet

The language and literature department will hold its first "Writers Read" program of second semester 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

Award-winning author Patricia A. Johnson of Elk Creek, Va., will read selections from her books of poetry, "Stain My Days Blue" and "Spirit Rising," published by Ausdoh Press of Philadelphia, Pa.

Ms. Johnson’s work draws on her collection of oral histories from the African-American communities of Grayson County, Va. She received the Sonia Sanchez Award in 1999 and the "Catalyst Award" from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation (2001), won the individual competition of the National Poetry Slam in Portland, Ore., and was a finalist in the National Poetry Slam individual competition held in Austin, Tex., in 1998.

Her work has been published in numerous literary journals, including "The Sonia Sanchez Review," "Aura," "BMa," "Dialogue," "Mount Voices" and others.

Johnson is executive director of SPARKS (Society of Poets and Artists Rejuvenating Kindred Spirits) and is a Virginia Commission for the Arts touring artist. She is a graduate of Ferrum College and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Admission to the program, which includes dinner, is $10. Students with I.D. will be admitted for $5. Advance reservations should be made by noon, Jan. 28, by calling the EMU box office at 540-432-4582.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted January 12, 2005