Poetry Foundation Announces Spring 2023 Events

CHICAGO, February 9, 2023—The Poetry Foundation announces its roster of free events for the first half of 2023, continuing to offer poetry readings, writing workshops, book clubs, art exhibitions, and resources available in-person and online.

"It has been heartening to see the excitement around our programs since we reopened the Poetry Foundation to the public last April,” said Ydalmi Noriega, Vice President of Programs and Engagement. “Visitors have been pouring through our doors to explore the library, engage with exhibits, see poets perform, and reconnect with each other—especially in our workshops! We’re thrilled to continue expanding in-person programming in 2023, and to keep bringing poetry to a growing audience in our space in Chicago and beyond through virtual programming.”  

New Exhibition Highlights Artistic Collaborations
Alex Katz: Collaborations with Poets is the first exhibition to bring together the full range of materials showcasing the renowned painter’s extensive collaborations with poets, and sets the theme for the season’s offerings. Collaborations with Poets features works created over the past 60 years, including print portfolios, editioned books, portraits of poets such as Alice Notley and Frank O’Hara, and unique cutouts, all centering on poets and poetry. 

The exhibition opens on February 18 with a poetry reading by Katz’s son, Vincent Katz. It will also feature the premiere of a video dialogue between Alex and Vincent, which explores some of the works on view in Collaborations with Poets. The exhibition will run until May 20, 2023. 

Hybrid Poetry Events
The season kicked off on February 2 with the sold-out launch celebrating the landmark anthology, Latinx Poetics: Essays on the Art of Poetry, featuring editor Ruben Quesada and poetry readings from several contributors. 

Another celebration follows on February 9, when poets José Olivarez, Britteney Black Rose Kapri, Vic Chávez, and Raych Jackson take to the Poetry Foundation stage to mark the launch of Olivarez’s collection, Promises of Gold, as part of the first Open Door reading of the year. The monthly Open Door series focuses on hometown pride, featuring the work of and collaborations between Chicago area poets. The March installment of the series will include Ari Banias, Joss Barton, Alex Jane Cope, and KOKUMO reading their works along with special lighting design by Dazzler.

The party continues in March with two events marking the 50th anniversary of Copper Canyon Press. First up is a March 23 hybrid reading by Copper Canyon poets, including Foundation award-winners Arthur Sze and Javier Zamora. On March 25, the Foundation will host a discussion of Copper Canyon’s legacy and future in the poetry world with panelists Chris Abani, Tishani Doshi, and Alison C. Rollins joining Sze and executive director Michael Wiegers.

Connection and Community
For those who are interested in getting hands-on with poetry, the Poetry Foundation Library continues to provide opportunities to expand knowledge and practice through its Forms & Features workshop series. While existing workshop sessions are already at capacity, the public is invited to get familiar with the workshop’s Teaching Artists in a February 16 reading. 

Further afield, the Poetry Foundation’s VS podcast hits the road with a live taping at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit on February 23. The event will celebrate Brittany Rogers and Ajanaé Dawkins’s first season as cohosts in the city that birthed their friendship. Attendees will be able to pick up VS swag, enjoy some Detroit art, and listen as Rogers and Dawkins record the live season finale with Detroit school poets Aricka Foreman and Tommye Blount.

These are only a sampling of the Poetry Foundation’s offerings; please subscribe to the newsletter and visit PoetryFoundation.org/Events for the most up-to-date listings.

Event Accessibility
Poetry Foundation events are free and open to the public. Readings and events include live captioning and ASL interpretation unless otherwise noted. If you have additional accessibility needs, don't hesitate to contact [email protected].

Expanded Hours
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 11AM - 4PM
Thursday: 11AM - 7PM
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday: Closed

Additionally, the facilities will remain open outside these hours for events, as noted. Check out PoetryFoundation.org/Visit to learn more about visiting the Poetry Foundation. 

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About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Poetry magazine at @PoetryMagazine.

Media Contacts
Liz O’Connell-Thompson, Media Manager, [email protected], 312.799.8065
Moyo Abiona, Media Assistant, [email protected]