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Poet to Share Works at 'Writers Read'

The language and literature department will hold another "Writers Read" program 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 3, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building.

Ann Hostetler will read from her full-length collection of published poetry, "Empty Room With Light," published by Cascadia Publishing House (2002). She is also the editor of "A Cappella: Mennonite Voices in Poetry" (University of Iowa Press).

Dr. Hostetler is associate professor of English at Goshen (Ind.) College, where she teaches English and creative writing. She previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Hostetler draws on her training as a visual artist as she seeks to articulate moments of illumination in everyday life. Her poetry collection is structured by a series of frames named after different forms of visual display, such as "Family Album," "Exhibitions" and "En Plein Air." Each section of her book offers a rich and varied palette of images and sheds light on a different facet of the poet’s journey through life.

A native of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., Hostetler received a degree in studio art from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. After working in publishing in New York City and Philadelphia, she went on to receive an M.A. in English literature at Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout her studies, she continued to write poetry, a love she developed in grade school, and her work reflects the influence of her studies in art and literature as well as her devotion to family life and a love of nature.

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, Feb, 28, by calling the EMU box office at 540-432-4582.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted February 16, 2005