Last Saturday over 75 folks gathering for another poetry reading at Pelican Bay Books in Anacortes, part of the Madrona Last Saturday Series of readings that continues through May. This night, ten poets read their poems included in “Art In A Public Voice,” just released by Empty Bowl Press. It includes work by 54 writers inspired by a visual work of art owned by the public. Participants were Luther Allen and J.I. Kleinberg, Sam and Sally Green, Jill McCabe Johnson, Jeremy Voigt, Kevin Miller, Rena Priest, Michael Daley and Gary Thompson.

Some of the art work tributed were the Phil McCracken sculpture “Bird Passage,” installed on an outdoor wall of the La Conner Elementary School, Nancy Holt’s “Stone Enclosure: Rock Rings,” placed on the Western Washington University campus, Tony Angell’s “Parliament of Owls” installed at Whatcom Community College, Tracy Powell’s “Dove,” residing in front of La Conner’s Maple Hall and Albert C. Runquist’s “Loggers and Millworkers,” a mural in the post office in Sedro Woolly.

A very lively conversation covering the long tradition of poets reflecting and writing about art, and how these poets chose their pieces, ensued.

This series is hosted by Pelican Bay Books the last Saturday of the month and curated by poets Michael Daley and Georgia Johnson. The March 25 reading will feature Bill Porter, also known as “Red Pine,” and Finn Wilcox, well-loved writers from the Peninsula.

They plan to read from “Old Growth,” the last published work of Mike O’Connor.

The series runs through May 27.

Submitted by Georgia Johnson