Poetry-writing event planned

On Tuesday, the public is invited to a free poetry-writing workshop and poetry reading with California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia at the Imperial County Free Library in Heber.

Gioia will be visiting Imperial County as part of his 58-county tour across California.

Gioia is California’s state poet laureate, appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2015. Gioia serves as the state advocate for poetry and literature in libraries, classrooms, and boardrooms while working to inspire a new generation of writers and celebrate California’s great literary legacy. As an award-winning poet, Gioia has published five full-length collections of poetry, including most recently “99 Poems: New & Selected.”

The event includes a free poetry-writing workshop, led by poet and educator Olga Garcia Echeverria. Open to both experienced and beginning writers, the workshop will include a mix of activities to help participants explore poetry and writing.

Echeverria has been teaching for more than 20 years and is the author of “Falling Angels: Cuentos y Poemas.” She currently teaches literature at California State University, Los Angeles and creative writing to fifth graders in Long Beach, Calif.

Following the workshop, Gioia will lead a poetry-reading, followed by a question-and-answer session. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their own poetry or read their favorite works aloud.

The poetry workshop and reading is open to the public and scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Imperial County Free Library Heber Branch, located at 1132 Heber Ave.

This event is supported by the California Center for the Book and Poets & Writers Inc. The California Center for the Book is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum & Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administrated in California by the State Librarian.

For more information, contact the Imperial County Free Library at (442) 265-7100, or visit www.co.imperial.ca.us/library.