Urban Poetry at IUN

Next month’s groundbreaking conference Drawing the Lines: International Perspectives on Urban Renewal Through the Arts at Indiana University Northwest will feature an urban poetry panel on Thursday, Nov. 2 from 12:15 p.m. until 1:30 pm in the IU Northwest Savannah Center Auditorium.

Four published poets will recite their works during this presentation and will also discuss what it means to be an “urban poet.” Presenters will perform traditional styles of poetry, experimental compositions, and works related to Northwest Indiana.

“Northwest Indiana needs more celebrations of the literary arts, and this panel is a fantastic way to celebrate writing,” said William Allegrezza, Ph.D., lecturer of English at IU Northwest and organizer of the urban poetry panel. “The panel will feature some great poets showcasing their works, works crafted in the region. It will be an entertaining, enjoyable event, even for people that are not overly interested in poetry.”

Scheduled poets include:

Garin Cycholl -- Instructor of writing and literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Chycholl is also co-editor of Near South, a journal of experimental poetry, fiction and drama and the author of Nightbirds and Blue Mound to 161, a book-length poem on geological and historical displacements in southern Illinois. Chycholl’s recent work is slated to appear in the upcoming collections Admit 2 and Keep Going.

Kristy Odelius -- Poet and Assistant Professor of English at North Park University. Odelius’ work has appeared in Chicago Review, Notre Dame Review, ACM, and diagram.

W.K. Buckley -- Professor of English at Indiana University Northwest. Buckley received his Ph.D. from Miami University in Ohio. In addition to teaching at IU Northwest, he is the editor of Critical Essays on Louis-Ferdinand Celine and New Perspectives on the Closing of the American Mind. Buckley is the author of Lady Chatterley’s Lover: Loss and Hope and has been published widely in poetry journals, including Left Curve, Poetry New York, and New Orleans Review. His other published books include Athene in Steeltown and Lost Heartlands Found.

Tim Yu -- Co-author of Postcard Poems and instructor at the University of Toronto. Yu’s poetry and criticism have appeared in Interlope, The Poetry Project Newsletter, Shampoo, and Cordite.

Admission to the urban poetry panel is free for college students and Gary, Ind. residents. Others interested in attending may register for the Drawing the Lines conference at www.iun.edu/~dtlines. Registration fees vary according to days of attendance and lunch options.

The urban poetry panel is an important element of the Drawing the Lines conference, which will bring together international experts on urban renewal and the arts with community leaders, local policymakers and legislators, artists, social and cultural entrepreneurs, city planners, economic development officials, arts and humanities councils, and civic leaders. Scheduled keynote speakers will discuss topics such as how creativity and culture influence community change, what role the arts and culture play in urban renewal, and what factors need to be considered on a local level when advancing urban renewal initiatives. The conference itinerary also includes roundtable discussions and public forums.

“We believe that this conference will develop a dialogue about how integral arts and humanities are to urban life in the 21st century and how the particular communities in northern Indiana and Chicagoland can shape their own transformations,” said Robin Hass Birky, associate professor of English at IU Northwest and co-organizer of the conference.

“In this event, we join existing initiatives in renewing the area’s urban communities and revitalize Indiana University Northwest’s contribution and commitment to the Hoosier culture,” added Eva Mendieta, associate professor of Spanish at IU Northwest and co-organizer of the conference.

For more information regarding Drawing the Lines, visit www.iun.edu/~dtlines