National Poetry Month may be wrapping up, but Urbana’s new poet laureate will be featured at the University of Illinois’ Spurlock Museum this Sunday. Dr. Ruby Mendenhall brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to the role and this weekend, our budding artists are invited to join in the fun.
This year, the 2024 Poet Laureate is none other than one of our Black Joy Project curators, Ruby Mendenhall, and we’re proud to host a poetry-writing workshop in her honor. Learn what inspires Ruby to express herself creatively and hear from her mentors. Then, discover what inspires you! The afternoon includes poetry readings, spoken word, music, and art, plus snacks to keep the creative energy going.
The City of Urbana Poet Laureate program launched in 2019 to “recognize a resident poet who honors and serves our diverse community and elevates the importance of the creative writing art form.” The program includes a youth component starting at age 12: teachers and parents, do you have a child just dying to express themselves? This may be THE event for them!
Spurlock Museum of World Cultures
Urbana Poet Laureate Celebration
Spurlock Museum
600 S Gregory
Urbana
Su May 5th
1:00 p.m.
Free
