Here’s another must-read/hear interview. Connie Kuntz interviews Ian Miles Kessler, Chicago playwright, who is originally from Hamden, CT. Connie calls this “State of the Quarantined Artist.” https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/state-artist-whole-world-suddenly-tasting-loneliness

Rockford has two poet laureate positions available: Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate. The nomination process begins on April 8, with a deadline of June 1. Learn more about the details here: https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/rockford-poets-laureate-champion-art-poetry-and-spoken-word

Due to recent events regarding COVID-19, we’ve decided to cancel our March 15 RWG meeting at the Burpee Museum. Yesterday, WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic. Be safe and well, everyone!

Everyone is invited! March 15 RWG meeting: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 1-3 p.m., downstairs Riverview Room. But, if you aren’t feeling well, you might want to stay home.
Choose one of the stories you have done so far this year and develop a plan for rewrites. Share what you would like to do in terms of editing/revising. Please bring copies of your work so people can read along and make suggestions.

Read and hear Connie Kuntz’s fascinating State of the Artist interview with Chicago (originally from Westchester, NY) artist Nate Woogen. He says he identifies as a writer second and a comedian first. When asked why, he said, “Comedy takes over your life once you get into it.”

https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/state-artist-slippery-floor-radiator-perfect-combination

Join other writers and enjoy their poems and stories read out loud. Bring a friend! Sunday, Feb. 16, Burpee Museum (downstairs Riverview Room), 1-3 PM. Join in on the fun!

Read and listen to Connie Kuntz’s heartwarming interview with “fun” artist Valerie Gibbons, who first made a footstool for her sister.
“State of the Artist continues with a Rockford woman who makes decoupage. Decoupage involves gluing and arranging paper cutouts on a variety of surfaces. It’s a form of expression that has special meaning for artist Valerie Gibbons.”
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/state-artist-whats-name

For the January meeting, bring someone else’s writing (prose or poem) that is told from a different character’s perspective (e.g., Grendel by John Gardner which tells the story of Beowulf from the monster’s perspective). In February, bring your writing telling a story from someone other than the main character’s perspective. We’ll share our writing and also have a writing contest.

Severson Dells Writing Workshop: March 21
Join other writers for a morning with Gavin Van Horn at Severson Dells Nature Center. $35 for Severson Dells members, $45 for non-members. Space is limit- ed, so register early. 815-335-2915

Read and listen to Connie Kuntz’s lively interview with Rockford poet and writer Christopher D. Sims. Hear him recite his poem, “Sacred Woman.”
Christopher D. Sims, aka UniverSouLove, is a poet, spoken word artist, performer, and human rights activist. I followed him for a day in the city where he was born and raised: Rockford, Illinois.

https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/state-artist-pescatarian-poet-says-its-still-who-i-am?nopop=1&fbclid=IwAR2L8A1ka3YbXawzIIIS-wcOUg6rTCACj0ASfoc0JvwhdkE4lPtCrTWqnyw