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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Location/County: Charleston, Kanawha
April 26, 2015
Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 PM
What Holds Us Together: Marc Harshman
Marc Harshman, poet laureate of West Virginia, will explore how poetry and storytelling have not only shaped his life, but how the humanities shape the life of a nation. In a talk he promises to be filled with poetry and stories, he will discuss how an attitude of attentiveness helps lift the human spirit and so can inspire us to engage our world with greater humanity and purpose. In this era of information overload, Harshman believes that by embracing the whimsy and gravity to be found in the arts and letters, we have the resources needed to nurture body politic of our nation in many useful and profound ways.
Marc Harshman is the poet laureate of West Virginia appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin in May, 2012. His full-length collection, GREEN-SILVER AND SILENT, was published by Bottom Dog Press later that same year. Four chapbooks of poems include ALL THAT FEEDS US: THE WEST VIRGINIA POEMS published in 2013 to celebrate Marc’s appointment. Periodical publications include Shenandoah, Wilderness, The Progressive, Appalachian Heritage, and many others. Poems have been anthologized by the University of Georgia, Kent State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Arizona. His eleven children’s books include THE STORM, a Smithsonian Notable Book. His children’s titles have been published in Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Danish, and Swedish.
Three new children’s titles are forthcoming. Marc holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale Divinity School, and the University of Pittsburgh. He has recently received honorary doctorates from Bethany College and West Liberty University in recognition of his life’s work. In honor of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial, Marc was commissioned by the Wheeling National Heritage Area to write a poem celebrating this event and so on June 20th his poem “A Song for West Virginia” was presented in both Charleston and Wheeling as a part of the day-long festivities. It has recently been reprinted by the Quarrier Press, Charleston, WV.
Robinson & McElwee PLLC is sponsoring the 2015 Little Lecture Series. Founded in Charleston in 1983, the law firm serves clients throughout West Virginia and Ohio.
Admission to the lecture is $10 and includes a reception after the program. People interested in attending should call the Humanities Council at 304-346-8500.
Little Lecture Series is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council.