Poetry Festival Honors Literary Heritage

From left, Asst. Prof Bridget Marshall, English major Eric Hultgren and Assoc. Prof. Julie Nash.

Poetry lovers from around the nation gathered in downtown Lowell for the first annual Massachusetts Poetry Festival, sponsored in part by the University. The three-day event included readings, workshops, music and more, with featured readings by poetry greats such as Robert Pinsky and Regie Gibson.

As part of Friday’s events, the University sponsored the first Intercollegiate Poetry Reading at the Revolving Museum. UMass Lowell student and festival planning committee member Michael Frye organized the event with the help of Paul Marion,  director of community relations.

“I was thrilled to see so many young writers involved in the intercollegiate reading hosted by UML,” says Marion. “The festival highlights UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell as a literary hotspot for students, scholars and writers.”

Readers representing Salem State College, Emerson, Boston University, Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell presented their poetry to a crowd of parents, students, faculty and community members. After the reading, the audience went to the Brush Arts Gallery for a release party for The Offering, the University’s literary journal, published by the English Department’s Literary Society.

“Many of UML's students rarely, if ever, come downtown,” says Assoc. Prof. Julie Nash, co-adviser of the Literary Society. “The Literary Society likes to host events that will introduce our students to the vibrant city of Lowell. Once they see the art galleries, restaurants, museums, and cafes the city has to offer, they're hooked.”

Surrounded by quilts on display at the gallery, the party-goers were treated to an intimate talk by poet Nick Flynn, who addressed the subject of becoming a writer before heading off to headline one of the weekend’s featured readings.

“It was great to see Nick Flynn,” says Eric Hultgren, senior English major and president of the Literary Society. “He gave us some good insights into his writing process and explained how he addresses contemporary political issues through poetry.”

The 2008 edition of The Offering is the largest yet, with more than 50 poems, short stories, essays and photographs submitted by students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“The Offering provides the University community with a creative outlet,” says Asst. Prof. Bridget Marshall, co-adviser of the Literary Society. “It's a way to celebrate writing. For those who join our editorial group, it's a chance to find out what it's like to be an editor.”

All the work, from the writing to selecting to editing, is done by the students and faculty of the Society. Copies of the books are available for free at the English Department Office on the fourth floor of O’Leary Library.

“Literature isn't just for English majors,” says Nash. “The Offering serves as an important bridge between a sometimes divided campus. We showcase the work of students, faculty, staff and alumni, bringing together people who might otherwise never cross paths.”

Students from several regional colleges and universities gathered for the Intercollegiate Poetry Reading.