Ohio Poetry Association Blog

The Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) is excited to announce it has been awarded a grant of $1,710.00 from The Columbus Foundation (TCF) Community Arts Fund, marking the third consecutive year that OPA has been awarded a grant through the fund. “The grant couldn’t be more timely,” said OPA President Mark Hersman. “It will enable us to tighten our infrastructure and complete our ekphrastic workshops, followed by another anthology of ekphrastic poems.” This year’s grant is the largest that OPA has received through the program. Previously, OPA received grants of $500 and $740 in 2012 and 2013, respectively. “The Community Arts Fund is a unique grantmaking offering that we’re pleased our Governing Committee has made a community priority,” said Dr. Lisa Courtice, Executive Vice President for Community Research and Grants Management at The Columbus Foundation. “The Community Arts Fund is unique in that it supports organizations through operating funds. We’re pleased to see the cont...

Steve Abbott testifying on behalf of S.B. 84 on May 21st in Columbus [photo by Michael Salinger ] BIG news for poetry in Ohio: the State Senate is considering legislation that would create the post of Ohio Poet Laureate. The proposed law, Senate Bill 84 (SB 84), was introduced by Senator Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, (9th District). Under provision of the bill, the Ohio Arts Council would administer the selection process and provide recommendations to the Governor, who would make the final selection. Most other states have already established Poet Laureate posts. Ohio neighbors West Virginia and Indiana have two of the more successful programs. OPA Vice-President Chuck Salmons and  Common Threads Editor Steve Abbott met with Senator Kearney on April 9 to discuss the bill, offering suggestions that OPA believes will strengthen it. These included shortening the term as Poet Laureate from four years to two ...

It is that time of year again when applications are open for the 2012 Columbus Art Festival show, June 1, 2, & 3.  We will be returning to the Riverfront! Please s hare with those you know.   The 2012 Poetry application became live at www.ColumbusArtsFestival.org on October 13, 2011.  Any interested applicants will need to download the application and return it before the deadline of February 17, 2012.  All applications must be submitted on-line through the following link: http://columbusartsfestival.org/apply/poet.php . If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Festival Coordinator, Shana Scott at sscott@gcac.org or phone at 614-221-8569. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Good luck as you plan your 2012 festival schedule, and we hope to have you as a guest in Columbus, June 1, 2, & 3 ! Remember the deadline for poetry submission is January 13, 2012 Shana Scott Columbus Arts Festi...

Wednesday, January 12, 7:30 p.m. Jeffrey Mansion, 165 North Parkview Avenue, Bexley, Ohio Join these poets and scholars as they discuss the life and work of 2011 Bexley Community Book Club Selected Author Billy Collins. A former US Poet Laureate, Collins is prolific, publishing eight collections of poetry, including Questions About Angels, The Art of Drowning, Picnic, Lightning, Taking Off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes, Sailing Alone Around the Room: New & Selected Poems, Nine Horses, The Trouble With Poetry and Other Poems, and Ballistics. Panelists will examine various aspects of Billy Collins, so that the audience can walk away with a better understanding of his work as a whole. Those who are interested in poetry, in literary works in general, or in the work of Billy Collins are encouraged to attend. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call 614.338.2093 or visit http://www.bexleyeducationfoundation.org/ Andrew Hudgins (moderator) has published seven boo...