A project, by WA State Poet Laureate Claudia Castro Luna, to travel the length of the Columbia River as it winds through WA State on its way to the ocean holding poetry readings and writing workshops.

Sign up for her free events, a Reading (Sat, Oct 19, 4-6pm in Pateros) and Sunday Workshop at Methow Arts in Twisp (Sun, Oct 20, 10-noon) register @ info@methowartsalliance.org

Let the river run … with poetry. Washington’s poet laureate, Claudia Castro Luna, has been named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, one of 13 state or local poets laureate nationwide to be so honored in a program funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and intended to promote civic programs about the role that poetry plays in people’s lives.

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Castro Luna’s winning proposal is to convene a series of poetry writing workshops and readings along the Columbia River, from the point it enters the northeastern corner of Washington to its encounter with the Pacific Ocean. The main thrust of the project will be to highlight the importance of the river as a natural resource.

Castro Luna, will launch her first project in Pateros, WA following teaching students in public schools through Methow Arts’ education residencies for two-days. She will offer a workshop in Pateros on Sat, Oct 19 followed by a reading in which local poets will join her that evening. She will then travel to Methow Arts in Twisp on Sun, Oct 20 to offer a second poetry workshop for community members. Sign up orhere: info@methowartsalliance.org.

The Seattle-based poet described how residents often mentally divide the state in half, concentrating on the eastern and western edges. The river runs mostly down the middle of the state, an area many overlook.

“Claudia Castro Luna is a poet whose work exemplifies how poetry can spark conversation and can help us learn about one another’s lives and unique experiences, which promotes greater understanding,” said Jennifer Benka, Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets. “We’re honored to help underwrite Castro Luna and the other twelve Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellows, all of whom are exceptional leaders.”

DATES: Sat, Oct 19, 4-6pm reading in Pateros at the Firehall, 191 Industrial way, Pateros ; free poetry workshop, Sun, Oct 20, 10-noon at Methow Arts, 204 Glover Street, Twisp, WA. Sign up @ info@methowartsalliance.org

Funded in part by the Okanogan County Hotel/Motel Lodging Tax Fund.