
Podcast (prophets-podcast): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:30 — )
Podcast (prophets-podcast): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:30 — )
From Judy Kleinberg: We had an excellent discussion of writing to incarcerated people last night in the Zoom Room. Hosted by Zach Charles and featuring Betty King of Bisbee, Arizona, Matt Trease of the CPL board, Katie Sarah Zale, who is a poet and teacher who works...
When I said that what’s good for general society is also good for poets, I’m talking about a series of cultural opportunities where a much wider stretch of people are allowed to take the opportunity to become writers. I came back from a conference last week where I presented some research on the demographic aspects of the New American poets. The poets that were born and came to maturity in the early to mid-20th century were beneficiaries of broad national scale longevity gains. This [includes] things like pushbacks against tuberculosis, against polio, against poor nutrition and infant mortality. These are gains that were made by the medical and scientific institutions, but also by general prosperity, by making more food available to more people and making that food shelf stable for longer. So, when you talk about what might make it possible for poor people to do more creative work, you could start by saying well we should just give people more money, but the fact of the matter is that plenty of people already have the wealth they need, they just don’t actually have any time.
Podcast (prophets-podcast): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:28 — 81.7MB)
Postcards from Mapes Creek on June 8! Join us on June 8, 2025 from 4-7 PM at Mapes Creek for a community poetry postcard gathering! At the mouth of Mapes Creek, we will gather with a postcard collage table, food and an open mic for reading postcard poems. This is a...
Thank you. Yes, to experience the geography of this sacred place. I feel fortunate to live just a few blocks away.
I want to read this book! I met James Washington in the early 1990s when I was an art installer for Artech. We were picking up a painting of his (yes he painted too) for an African American retrospective. Rather than just handing off the painting, he invited us in and had sit in his living room as regaled us with thoughts on art. I remember he wore a red plaid shirt buttoned at neck and wrists out of which two enormous, calloused hands protruded like sculptures themselves. He had undertaken a multinational tour, meeting with artists around the world to understand the “universality of art.” His conclusion surprised me. It was that every artists needs “a congenial space in which to work.” I expected something more grandiose, but he had made this conclusion that art and artist depended on a place. I’ve never forgotten that, and have ultimately come to see the “congenial space” for our work as the Earth itself.
I don’t connect with a lot of sculpture, but his stone birds and squirrels seem imbued with the very life of creation. I’m so glad he is getting, in memory, the attention he deserves. A great man and artists.
I really appreciate hearing Rob Lewis’s recollection above & look forward to checking out the house & Carringtons work. I have been impressed by Washington’s sculptures & didn’t know he painted as well
Thank you! What a gift to be invited into Carlettea Carrington Wilson’s world and learn how she inhabited Mr. Washington’s world for a time, and to hear that manifested in her poem. This line stays with me: “Every living creature a feast to flowers..” wow. Look forward to searching out and reading her book. How about a book celebration/poetry reading at Mr. Washington’s home?
They are having an open house there soon. Thank you for listening and for the kind comments Stacey!
Anyone can call the Washington Foundation (206-709-42410 and schedule a tour of the house, studio, and grounds.
Rev. Dr. LaVerne C. Hall
Executive Director
Dr. James W. Washington Jr. & Mrs. Janie Rogella Washington Foundation.
Glad to see someone giving attention to a legend! His stone sculpture at the SPL is hidden! Not in a place of prominence. Such a shame.