Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Area Arts Council is pleased to host Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson in several live readings and discussion throughout the Springfield community, including “Life as a Laureate” on stage at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. All events are free to the public. Says Jackson, “More than ever we need poetry. Poetry has the power to heal and seal wounds. Poetry has power to speak in whispers that cross canyons of differences and touch hearts of the willing. Poetry does not have all the answers, but it turns us to the truth of our shared humanity.”
Governor JB Pritzker appointed Ms. Jackson the state’s poet laureate in 2020. Her readings and talks in Springfield will reflect on her years of service in that role. Jackson, 73, migrated north with her family from her Mississippi birthplace and has resided in Chicago most of her life. She has been awarded the American Book Award among many others and has taught at several universities including Howard in Washington, D.C.
Jackson’s first public event is tied to the statewide finals of Poetry Out Loud, a high school recitation contest produced by the Springfield Area Arts Council. On Monday, March 17, Illinois teenagers will compete for the title of state champion and a trip to the national finals in May. This free event takes place at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. 6th St., from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. during which Jackson will read some of her works. She also will present an exclusive workshop for students, teachers, and judges the evening before, sponsored by the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
On Tuesday, March 18 Jackson’s second public event will be at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. 6th St., from 6:00 to 8:30 P.M. in Union Theatre. It is free but requires advance registration online. “Life as a Laureate” will celebrate highlights of Jackson’s time in the role of Illinois Poet Laurate and explore how she works to inspire a love and joy of poetry in others. She will be available after the program to sign copies of her poetry books. The following titles will be available for purchase: More Than Meat and Raiment, $21.25; It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time, $20.15; and Dark Legs and Silk Kisses, $18.00.
On Wednesday, March 19, Jackson heads to University of Illinois Springfield. From 12:00 to 1:00 P.M., she will have a public exchange with Dr. Miriam Wallace, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in classroom 3B on the third floor of the UIS Public Affairs Center. Jackson also will recite selections of her work. The university especially encourages K-12 teachers and local writers to attend along with the public.
Jackson’s final public appearance of the week is at Lincoln Land Community College. On Thursday, March 20, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M., she will appear with Dr. Corrine Hinton, Dean of English and Humanities, in the college’s Writing Center, located on lower level of the library inside Sangamon Hall on the Lincoln Land campus. Jackson will facilitate a poetry writing workshop and speak about her experiences as Illinois Poet Laureate and her own sources of inspiration as well as reading from collections including It Seems Like a Mighty Long Time.
Jackson’s residency is made possible by Springfield Area Arts Council through a bequest from Bobette Gerlach and by Illinois Arts Council and Illinois Humanities, in collaboration with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Hoogland Center for the Arts, Lincoln Land Community College, and University of Illinois Springfield.
The Springfield Area Arts Council is on the lower level of the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.
