By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
The Cardinal Arts Journal (CAJ) at Gadsden State Community College is hosting free events in observance of National Poetry Month. In addition to several events for students, the CAJ team has planned three events that are free and open to the public.
“The poetry month events sponsored by the Cardinal Arts Journal are a way to offer students and the community new ways to appreciate how poetry can enhance even ordinary, everyday experiences,” said Tabitha Bozeman, Editor-in-Chief of the Cardinal Arts Journal and instructor with Gadsden State.
The first event – Plants and Poetry with Hooten Holler – is held in collaboration with the Windy Van Hooten Teaching Garden located at 173 Hillview Road in Gadsden. Participants will read poems about plants, learn to identify various medicinal plants and try their hand at composing poetry about their favorite plants. The workshop is at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 12.
The public is also invited to the annual Cardinal Arts Journal Reading and Exhibit at 4 p.m. on April 24. Writers will read their poems, essays and short stories at the free event at the Center for Cultural Arts.
“We decided early on that the Cardinal Arts Journal would highlight local and area poets by hosting the Annual CAJ Reading and Exhibit in April,” Bozeman said.
Women in Poetry will be held at 4 p.m. April 29 in Room 108 of Allen Hall on the George Wallace Campus. Learn more about the history of women and poetry through watching videos and hearing recordings of famous women reading their poetry. There will also be group discussions about women in poetry.
“The Cardinal Arts Journal is a project of the Languages and Humanities Division at Gadsden State, but it exists as a vehicle for students and our community to share creative work,” Bozeman said. “It provides opportunities for members of the community and general public to be involved in, contribute to, and support the arts.”
For more information, contact Tabitha Bozeman at tbozeman@gadsdenstate.edu.