This Thursday, November 19, the Ridgefield Library and The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art will co-present two virtual events featuring internationally acclaimed poet Patricia Smith, author of 8 critically acclaimed poetry books.
At 7:00 pm, Smith will read from Incendiary Art, a collection that confronts the tenacious grief of the mothers of murdered Black men, including Emmett Till. The book was awarded the 2018 NAACP Image Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. It also offers a strong link to a current Aldrich exhibition entitled "Rudy Shepherd: Somebody's Child," a series of 25 watercolor portraits of the victims of police violence. Interested participants can register at https://thealdrich.org/events/virtual-poetry-reading-patricia-smith.
Aspiring poets at all levels of development are invited to attend an afternoon masterclass with Smith from 2-3:30pm. The class will be offered virtually on Zoom and is limited to a very small group. Those interested should register here: https://thealdrich.org/events/virtual-poetry-masterclass-patricia-smith.
In addition to her recognition as a poet and teacher, Smith enjoyed renown as a four-time individual slam poetry champion and was featured in the movie, Slamnation. "Her style of delivery is impassioned and exhilarating," notes Ridgefield Poet Laureate Barb Jennes.
Those who are Ridgefield Library patrons or members of The Aldrich Museum should register for the Member Discount.Th
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