Landmark Building to host ‘Women of Color Speak’ poetry reading
The “Daughters of the Diaspora” art exhibit will be the backdrop for a poetry reading from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Landmark Building, 201 Market St. “Poet Women of Color Speak” features Arkansas poets Kai Coggin, Jessica Key and Crystal Mercer reading selections from their published works. There will also be a 35-minute open mic period for reading poetry.
Coggin is a poet, author and teaching artist living in the valley of a small mountain in Hot Springs National Park. She holds a B.A. in English, Poetry and Creative Writing from Texas A&M University. Her work has been published in numerous collections and reviews. She is the author of two full-length collections, “Periscope Heart” and “Wingspan,” and a spoken word album called “Silhouette.” Her poetry has been nominated for Bettering American Poetry 2015, Best of the Net 2016, and three times for the Pushcart Prize. Coggin teaches an adult creative writing class called Words & Wine at Emergent Arts, and is a Teaching Artist on the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts in Education Roster and with Arkansas Learning Through the Arts (ALTTA), specializing in bringing poetry and creative writing to youth around the state.
Little Rock native Key is a motivational author inspiring many to self-reflect on their life and make plans for a positive change. Key was obese from childhood to her young adult life and uses her voice through prose and poetry to share her challenges and insightful journey of realizing the importance of loving one’s self first. Her book, “Confessions of a Buddafli: Relationships, Food, and Self–Esteem,” is a poetic summary of her experience as what she called “a little fat black girl” who never liked what she saw in the mirror.
Mercer is a native from Little Rock. She’s a performance artist, poet, activist and founder of Columbus Creative Arts+Activism. Mercer’s past credits include a number of plays and musicals in Arkansas, off-Broadway in New York, and in Canterbury, England. Mercer fuses arts and activism by using theater to tell social justice narratives through storytelling with an emphasis of uplifting voices of color. Her book, “A Love Story Waiting to Happen,” is a rhythmic, raw and open movement of poetry that explores love, grief, mourning, freedom, social justice and courtships. Blending an intoxicating concoction of poetry and imagery, Mercer engages her intellect, molding herself to express stories that are both universal in nature and indicative of her journey in the full spectrum of love.
“Poet Women of Color Speak” and the art exhibit “Daughters of the Diaspora–Women of Color Speak” are sponsored by HSU-Hot Springs Academic Initiatives and Hearne Fine Art.
Call 501-625-3837 for more information.