“Spalding at 21c: Voice and Vision” kicks off its fifth annual reading series with seven local undergraduate students who are standouts in their literary endeavors. The reading takes place 6-7:15 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St., and is free and open to the public.
These budding writers were nominated by their professors for this special reading based on their outstanding creative work. The up-and-coming readers are Levi Dunn (IU Southeast), Vanessa Fuller (UofL), Hannah James Gribbins (IU Southeast), Clare C. Hagan (Bellarmine), Christian Loriel Lucas (UofL), Iva Moore (UofL) and Katie Shamblin (UofL).
This season’s series runs the third Thursday of every month through August. Writers from all area universities, community writers’ groups, Spalding alumni and independent writers are welcome to participate. If interested in taking part in a future reading, inquire with series coordinator Amy Foos Kapoor at [email protected]. Spalding MFA founding program director Sena Jeter Naslund and associate director Katy Yocom emcee and host the series.
Free street parking is available. Proof on Main welcomes those who would like to enjoy the culinary arts and further discussion and literary connection at the end of the evening. For more information and reservations, visit www.proofonmain.com or call 502-217-6360.
About the Readers
- Levi Dunn is a fantasist studying English at IU Southeast. His recent work explores reality though his science fiction fantasy world of “Xarr,” and he wants to pursue an MFA.
- Vanessa Fuller is an English major and creative writing minor at U of L. She plans to pursue an MFA and a career in poetry.
- Hannah James Gribbins is studying English writing and literature at IU Southeast. She has published a short story called “Remember Me Yesterday” in The IU Southeast Review. She’s also publishing poetry in two books, “Whiskey on Vinyl” and “Arrows on Monsters,” set to release this year.
- Clare C. Hagan is a senior at Bellarmine. Her poetry often incorporates a strong sense of place, while many of her longer works seek to examine the line between realism and the mysticism of legends.
- Christian Loriel Lucas is a wife and mother studying English at U of L. She’s originally from Memphis, where her childhood experiences have inspired many of her stories. She hopes to publish YA novels and write for film.
- Iva Moore is a sophomore at U of L studying English & Creative Writing. She was recently awarded the Flo Gault Poetry Prize by Sarabande Books and currently edits for Miracle Monocle.
- Katie Shamblin is an English major at U of L. She loves self-reflective poetry and plans to pursue an MFA.
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About the Spalding MFA in Writing program: Spalding’s nationally distinguished low-residency MFA in Writing program is committed to excellence in a noncompetitive, supportive atmosphere. The program offers concentrations in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, screenwriting, and playwriting. Students begin the semester in the spring, summer, or fall with a residency in Louisville or abroad; then, faculty and students return to their homes for an independent study focusing on the student’s creative writing, with the mentor commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of the work. Students may customize the residency location, season, and pace of their studies. See spalding.edu/mfa for more information.
About 21c Museum Hotel Louisville: A multi-venue museum, 21c was founded by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, contemporary art collectors and preservationists who are committed to bringing works of art to the public through innovative exhibitions and programs that integrate contemporary art into daily life. 21c Museum presents a range of arts programming curated by Museum Director and Chief Curator Alice Gray Stites, including thought-provoking solo and group exhibitions that reflect the global nature of art today; site-specific, commissioned installations; as well as a variety of cultural events. The organization collaborates on arts initiatives with artists and cultural organizations worldwide, including The North Carolina Museum of Art, MASS MoCA, The Contemporary Art Museum Houston, The Barnes Foundation, The National Gallery of Ontario, The Creative Capital Foundation, and others. Since opening in Louisville in 2006, 21c Museum has presented more than 85 exhibitions, including Cuba Now!; Alter Ego: A Decade of Work by Anthony Goicolea; Blue: Matter, Mood, and Melancholy; Aftermath: Witnessing War, Countenancing Compassion; Seeing Now; Wild Card: The Art of Michael Combs, a Fifteen-Year Survey; Dis-semblance: Projecting and Perceiving Identity; Albano Afonso: Self-Portrait as Light; and Pop Stars! Popular Culture and Contemporary Art.