Last of poetry reading series: Poets Speaking Up

Date of Event:  Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.

(For info: contact:  Pat LaRose at plarose2@cox.net or Telephone 401-783-3604)

Poets Speaking Up Presents Poets on Peace

The poetry series, Poets Speaking Up!, presents its last session on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at The Contemporary Theater in Wakefield, RI.  Poets on Peace features guest poet Rick Benjamin, the current Rhode Island Poet Laureate, and guest speakers, artist Mimi Sammis, and Martin Lepkowski, a poet and social justice activist.  Other poets will read pieces that explore the theme of peace in our lives and communities.  Admission is free.  Donations from this session will benefit the Prem Rawat Foundation which sponsors a “Peace Education Program” at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston, RI.

Rick Benjamin was appointed Rhode Island’s state poet in 2012.  He has been a teacher at Brown University, RISD and Goddard College, and holds regular poetry workshops with groups around the state, working with writers from age 6 to 96.  Rick writes the “In a Small State of Poetry” column in the Providence Journal.  His most recent collection of poetry is “Floating World” (Wolf Ridge Press, 2013).

Mimi Sammis, of Narragansett, is an artist who has explored the theme of peace often in her paintings and sculptures.  Sammis has shown her work around the world, from the United Nations to the Hague Appeal for Peace, Netherlands. She designed the Rhode Island Women’s Veterans Memorial in Exeter.  She was educated at Yale and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Locally she is known for her sculpture “Dance of Peace” at the Narragansett Town Beach, and for her weekly and monthly artists’ gatherings.  She also presented a TV art show on PBS called, Mimi’s Art Studio.

Martin Lepkowski has worked with the Washington, DC-based “Witness for Peace” organization, is a retired Rhode Island State Substance-Abuse Counselor, and has contributed articles to the Providence Journal.  He will address the theme as both a poet and activist for peace.

The organizers are all poets and South Kingstown residents.  Joanne Dorrance, Margie Flanders, and Pat LaRose, teamed up to present the three poetry readings.  Previous sessions addressed the themes of homelessness and hunger, and benefitted Welcome House and the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale.  The community has supported this series with generous donations, and poets have given their time and talents to making this a successful project.

Thanks go to Chris Simpson and Maggie Cady, of the Contemporary Theater Company for supporting these events.  Contact Joanne Dorrance at 401-474-5052 for more information.

 

Calendar Announcement

 

Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Poets Speaking Up! Poets on Peace.  Third event in this poetry reading series. Proceeds from this event will go to support the Prem Rawat Foundation which sponsors a “Peace Education Program” at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston, RI.  Guests for this session will be Rick Benjamin, the current Rhode Island Poet Laureate, local artist Mimi Sammis, and Martin Lepkowski, a social justice activist and poet.  At The Contemporary Theater, Wakefield, RI. Free Admission. Donations accepted.  Call  Joanne Dorrance at 401-474-5052 for more information.