Austin Smith Featured in The New York Times

Austin Smith, BEI Fellow, was recently featured in a New York Times article, “In Recent Poetry Collections, Weapons Made of Words” by Stephanie Burt. The article talks about Austin’s new book of poetry Flyover Country. Copies of Flyover Country can be found here.  The quiet rural boys and men of...

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Ann Fisher-Wirth Joining Longleaf Writers Conference Faculty

Ann Fisher-Wirth, a BEI Senior Fellow, has recently joined the faculty of the Longleaf Writers Conference. She will be leading a poetry workshop along with Brian Turner. Below is information about the Longleaf Writers Conference. The Longleaf Writers Conference @Seaside, Florida (formerly Seaside Writers Conference), is pleased to announce our...

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Patricia Spears Jones Opens the Ocean State Review

Patricia Spears Jones, Senior BEI Fellow, opens the latest issue of the Ocean State Review with two of her original poems. Poem “On Roland Barthe’s Birthday” was inspired by a tweet Wayne Koestenbaum. This is the first time Patricia’s first time being the first work up in a journal.  

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Ann Fisher-Wirth Publishing New Collection of Poetry

Ann Fisher-Wirth, BEI Senior Fellow, Professor, and new author of The Bones of Winter Birds. Ann’s new collection of poetry is published by Terrapin Books, A Poetry Press. The Bones of Winter Birds is a book of belonging and of seeking, ribboned through with the copious steamy heat of the South and...

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Black Earth Institute Needs Your Support

Dear Friends of Black Earth Institute, We need your support to continue. The Black Earth Institute supports artists and art much needed in our troubled times. Now in our fourteenth year, BEI was founded by my late wife, Patricia Monaghan, and me to have art serve the areas of spirit,...

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2018 Pushcart Nominations

The Black Earth Institute and the About Place Journal are nominating six pieces to The Pushcart Prize: The Best of Small Presses. Three pieces were nominated from the May 2018 issue of About Place Journal, Rewilding, by editor Tammy Gomez. The other three prices were nominated from the October 2018 issue,...

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Regie Gibson Paying Tribute to Diana Der Hovanessian

Poet and BEI Emeritus Fellow, Regie Gibson helped to pay tribute to poet Diana Der Hovanessian. For link to original article. ARLINGTON, Mass. — On the afternoon of November 4, the award-winning late poet Diana Der Hovanessian was feted at the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) by an enthusiastic audience of...

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Austin Smith in The Washington Post

Austin Smith’s new book of poetry, Flyover Country, was recently featured in The Washington Post. The article is featured below or for the link to the original. Five New Books Of Poetry Explore the American Experience, For Better or Worse Flyover Country “Flyover Country” (Princeton), by Austin Smith is a marvelous...

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Kathleen Sweeney Digital Mindfulness

Kathleen Sweeney, BEI Emeritus Fellow, had an article published by the Garrison Institute. The article is about Digital Mindfulness. Below is the article, for the link to the original click here. Digital Mindfulness Slow Media in a Fast Media Landscape By Kathleen Sweeney Digital Culture, Digital Media What are we...

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Liam Heneghan in AEON

Liam Heneghan, BEI Scholar, recently had his work published on AEON. Check out his piece below or on the AEON Website. Liam is professor and chair of environmental science and studies at DePaul University in Chicago. He is a Scholar Advisor at the Black Earth Institute. His latest book, Beasts at...

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Austin Smith in The Michigan Daily

Austin Smith has been receiving a lot of attention for his new book of poetry, Flyover Country. A new collection about violence and the rural Midwest from a poet whose first book was hailed as “memorable” (Stephen Burt, Yale Review) and “impressive” (Chicago Tribune).  Recently, The Michigan Daily wrote this article about...

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Austin Smith Featured on NPR’s Here & Now

Austin Smith, one of our newest fellows, was featured on NPR’s Here & Now segment November 1st. The interview focused on his newest book of poetry Flyover Country. Austin’s poems challenge misconceptions about the Midwest and what he calls the “carelessness” of drone warfare. Austin discusses Flyover Country with Here...

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Ann Fisher-Worth Reads Poetry By Native American Authors with Students

Ann Fisher-Worth, BEI Emeritus Fellow, faculty, and students gathered together at an event “Itimanupoli” to read poetry by Native American authors. “Itimanupoli” is the Choctaw word meaning “to converse”. The event was organized by Caroline Wigginton, associate professor of English and director of undergraduate studies for the department, as a way...

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Liam Heneghan Connecting with Readers

Recently Liam Heneghan, BEI Scholar, was reviewed in a reader’s blog. Liam loves the fact he is able to connect with readers. Below is the post written by sunnyjimmy about Beasts at Bedtime. “You will know what it is to have been wild, and you will know what it is to...

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Patricia Spears Jones on Black Feminist Poets

Recently, Patricia Spears Jones, BEI Emeritus Fellow, was featured in an article in Poets & Writers about “Black Feminist Poets and the death of Tony Hoagland”. “We need to think about power just a bit differently. What happens when we have that power — when our ideas, our programs, our voices are...

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Liam Heneghan Featured in Tech News Article

Liam Heneghan, one of BEI’s Senior Resident Advisors, recently had an article written about him for TechNews. Here is part of the article: “An ecosystem ecologist at DePaul University, as well as the co-director for DePaul University’s Institute for Nature and Culture, Liam Heneghan presented as a guest speaker at...

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Lauren Camp Featured in “The Taos News”

Lauren Camp released her fourth book Turquoise Door: Finding Mabel Dodge Luhan in New Mexico. With the release of this book, Lauren has a slew of events planned and recently did a reading at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House to kick them off. The Taos News wrote this article to...

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2018 Annual Brigit Rest Retreat

Every year, the Black Earth Institute invites current and emeritus fellows, and scholars to travel from all across the country to come here at Brigit Rest for a 3 day intensive. The 2018 Retreat was one of connection, inspiration, and testy Wisconsin weather. This was the first retreat for our...

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Liam Heneghan at Dear Earth Event

Recently at Ryerson Woods, the Dear Earth Event attempted to gain interested in the natural world, especially from younger children. Guests were invited to learn about the natural world and what humans can do to preserve it. There were fun activities such as roasting marshmallows, painting pumpkins, and viewing all of...

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Debra Marquart at Luther College Writers Festival

Recently, Luther College in Iowa hosted its fifth biennial a writers festival. Debra Marquart, BEI Emeritus fellow and professor of English was one of the featured writers at the festival. Check here for the article written by Kelao Charmaine Neumbo. “The Writers Festival kicked off with a reading by one of this...

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Hard Rain: A Review of Extreme By Richard Cambridge

Richard Cambridge, one of BEI Emeritus Fellows, recently reviewed Extreme: An Anthology of Social and Environmental Justice. For a limited time, individuals can order Extreme for a promotional rate- only $15! Follow the link for details. Please continue reading for the complete review of Extreme by Richard Cambridge. HARD RAIN...

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Melissa Tuckey “Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology” to Be Featured in Kimmel Windows Gallery

BEI Emeritus Fellow Melissa Tuckey’s Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology will be displayed at the Kimmel Windows Gallery. It will be available for 24-Hour Viewing from September 10, 2018 – November 1, 2018. There will be an opening reception on September 10th from 5-7pm, which will feature readings and a...

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Liam Heneghan Interviewed on WBEZ’s Worldview

  On August 24th, 2018 BEI Resident Scholar Advisor Liam Heneghan interviewed on WBEZ’s Worldview to discuss his book Beasts at Bedtime: Revealing the Environmental Wisdom in Children’s Literature. Liam Heneghan interviewed on WBEZ’s Worldview   Copies of the book are also available at: https://www.amazon.com/Beasts-Bedtime-Environmental-Children’s-Literature/dp/022643138X or http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo25153600.html

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Open for Submissions: Chicanx Authors Anthology

BEI Fellow Pam Uschuk, editor-in-chief of Cutthroat, is seeking submissions until October 1 for an anthology of contemporary Chicanx writing. Editors of the book include Luis Alberto Urrea, Uschuk, Matt Mendez, Beth Alvarado, and William Pitt Root. “Our goal is to celebrate the great body of poetry and prose written by...

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BEI is hiring!

We are seeking a part-time Administrative Intern to facilitate the work of BEI and its scholars and fellows.  The base of operations for this position is Brigit Rest (pictured), a home and farm located just west of Madison, WI. About the Position: – 20 hours / week; at least half...

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Ann Fisher-Wirth’s “Mississippi” Reviewed by BURNAWAY

BEI Emeritus Fellow Ann Fisher-Wirth recently published Mississippi, a collection of her poems with photos by Maude Schuyler Clay.  This review from Jacqueline Knirnschild at BURNAWAY describes the collaboration process between poet and photographer.  Knirnschild also addresses the book’s effect and its implications: “With such a divisive political climate, we need empathy...

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Regie Gibson Judges Worcester, MA Poetry Contest

BEI Emeritus Fellow Regie Gibson recently chose four poems out of 138 entries for the Worcester County Poetry Association’s Frank O’Hara Prize.  Massachusetts residents accounted for all four winners.  Gibson will host a winners’ reading this fall, and the authors will have their work published by the WCPA.  Learn more...

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Louise Halfe “In Conversation” in Winnipeg

Emeritus Fellow Louise Halfe will join Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm to “share…insights on writing as Indigenous women” this Friday, June 8 at 4:30 PM.  Rosanna Deerchild will host this event at the Millennium Library.  Books will be available for purchase.  This is a FREE event!  Visit Downtown Winnipeg BIZ for more details.

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Mary Swander on Talk of Iowa

AgArts Promotes Intersection of Agriculture and Art   The intersection of art and agriculture is important to BEI Emeritus Fellow Mary Swander. She says art has been a part of ag for a long time with concepts like folk art. Now she has helped start a new non-profit called AgArts. She...

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Regie Gibson Speaks at Embrace Ambition Summit

The designer Tory Burch and her eponymous foundation hosted their first-ever conference in New York at the end of April. BEI Emeritus Fellow Regie Gibson closed the summit by reciting a piece he wrote inspired by all that he saw and heard. Among empowering themes, the Embrace Ambition Summit addressed stereotypes and double...

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Liam Heneghan Launches New Book

Yesterday, BEI Scholar Liam Heneghan hosted an event at DePaul University for Beasts at Bedtime: Revealing the Environmental Wisdom in Children’s Literature (University of Chicago Press, 2018). In his new book, scientist (and father) Heneghan examines the environmental underpinnings of children’s stories.  Within the entertaining pages of these books lie profound teachings about...

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Regie Gibson at 2018 Massachusetts Poetry Festival

BEI Emeritus Fellow Regie Gibson will be joined by Massachusetts’ best poets at this year’s festival in Salem, MA.  Here’s where you can find Gibson over the weekend: Friday, May 4 at 1:15pm Poetry of Place: Boston   Hawthorne Hotel, Library Room 18 Washington Square W Boston’s distinctive narrative and always-present past, its cityscape of...

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BEI and Local Artists at Earth Day Reading

To honor Earth Day this year, Black Earth Institute partnered with Arts + Literature Laboratory to hold a special reading at Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. BEI spotlighted local writers who use their collective voices to create poetry and prose, which advocates for an environmental cause: opposing the Cardinal Hickory Creek...

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Linda Hogan visits Appalachian State University

Emeritus Fellow Linda Hogan will visit Appalachian State University as the final author in Appalachian’s spring 2018 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writing Series.  She will be sharing her voice with two events: Craft Talk: “Intuition: The Inner Voice” and the annual Juanita Tobin Memorial Reading. Kathryn Kirkpatrick, professor in Appalachian’s Department...

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Todd Davis Featured in Ashland Art Walk

BEI Fellow Todd Davis will have his poetry on display as part of a new exhibition at Gallerie Karon in conjunction with Ashland Gallery Association’s First Friday’s art walk on April 6.  Participating galleries and businesses in downtown Ashland, the Railroad District and surrounding areas will stay open until 8...

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Lauren Camp to Visit Rochester, Minnesota

Current BEI Fellow Lauren Camp will be touring Rochester 14-17 of April. The visit is sponsored by the Mayo Clinic Behavioral Health Research Program Department of Psychiatry and Psychology and University of Minnesota Rochester.  Public events during her tour include events such as writing workshops; a poetry reading with local poets;...

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Liam Heneghan Celebrates New Book, Beasts at Bedtime

Within the entertaining pages of many children’s books lie profound teachings about the natural world that can help children develop an educated and engaged appreciation of the dynamic environment they inhabit. In Beasts at Bedtime: Revealing the Environmental Wisdom in Children’s Literature (University of Chicago Press, 2018), BEI Resident Scholar Advisor, scientist...

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Ann Fisher-Wirth’s New Book on Best Sellers List

The Clarion Ledger named “Mississippi” by BEI Fellow Ann Fisher-Wirth with photographs by Maude Schuyler Clay (Wings Press) #8 on the week of April 1’s best sellers list. “The imperishable quiet at the heart of form.” This quietness, found by contemplating Clay’s photographs, was at the heart of Fisher-Wirth’s poetic process,...

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Tom Montgomery Fate: Ice Fishing and Spiritual Detours

BEI Emeritus Fellow Tom Montgomery Fate had an article published in the March 2018 issue of Christian Century. The self-reflective essay, Spiritual Detours, explores the author’s winter arrival at St. John’s Abbey, a Benedictine monas­tery, and how prayer can take us by surprise and to places we didn’t intend to go. Enjoy this...

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The Missouri Review Features Work by Todd Davis

One of the most highly-regarded literary magazines in the country has chosen a poem by BEI Fellow Todd Davis as their Poem of the Week. For the past 40 years, The Missouri Review (TMR) has helped shape the contemporary literary scene by publishing the best writers and brightest new voices....

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Ann Fisher-Wirth To Critique Louisiana’s Critical Mass 6

More than 200 original artworks created by regional talent from around northwest Louisiana will compete for Best in Show in visual and literary categories in an annual competition and exhibition. Critical Mass 6 will inhabit a multi-dimensional and multi-discipline collection of paintings, sketches, photography, sculpture, literature and more. The literary critic will be...

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The Hunger Dialogue plans Food Insecurity Summit

The Hunger Dialogue group is preparing to bring a second Iowa Food Insecurity Summit to Storm Lake, Iowa. The group spurred the first food insecurity summit two years ago, keynoted by BEI Emeritus Fellow and Iowa Poet Laureate Mary Swander.  At that inagural event, held at the AEA building, Swander...

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New Book Release: Ghost Fishing, Edited by Melissa Tuckey

Edited by BEI Fellow Melissa Tuckey, Ghost Fishing: An Eco-Justice Poetry Anthology is a gathering of poetry at the intersection of culture, social justice, and the environment. This ground-breaking book of poems brings social justice to the forefront of eco-poetry and offers a rich terrain of culturally diverse perspectives. Ghost...

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Ann Fisher-Wirth Releases New Book, MISSISSIPPI

In an unforgettable partnership, BEI Fellow Ann Fisher-Wirth and photographer Maude Schuyler Clay have collaborated on MISSISSIPPI, a gorgeous new book that offers a new spirit of place for their home state. The book features 47 poems by Ann Fisher-Wirth and 47 color photographs by Maude Schuyler Clay that explore the history,...

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Linda Hogan’s Poem Inspires Chickasaw Identity Musical Performance

The South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra joins the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra to perform a scene from American Indian composer Jerod Impichcaachaaha’ Tate’s Lowak Shoppala’ (Fire and Light) on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m., during an evening of music at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. Tate’s Lowak Shoppala’, created as an...

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Research by Cristina Eisenberg at High Lonesome Ranch

An article written by Kelly Bastone was published this month in Denver magazine, 5280, about The High Lonesome Ranch in western Colorado. BEI Emeritus Fellow Cristina Eisenberg has conducted research projects at the ranch concerning her work with wolves, specifically, “trophic cascades,” or how wolves and other top predators have a waterfall effect...

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Mary Swander to Read at Iowa Orpheum Theater

On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Iowa Poet Laureate and BEI Emeritus Fellow Mary Swander will read, discuss, and maybe share a banjo tune! Admission is free because this event is funded by Humanities Iowa. Come along from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm at the Orpheum Theater Center, 220 E. Main St., Marshalltown, IA. If you are...

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The People’s Music Network Concert features Regie Gibson

People’s Music Network Concert: 7:30 to 10 p.m. Jan. 26 First Parish Church 1446 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Tickets: $11-$20.   The People’s Music Network, a national community of musicians and activists dedicated to making music for positive social change in the world, will kick off its 2018 Winter Gathering with...

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Lauren Camp Discusses the Immigrant Experience

Readings and discussion about the immigrant experience are to take place at the Mesa Public Library’s Upstairs Rotunda. The readings will feature Los Alamos poet Jane Lin and BEI Fellow Lauren Camp, both of whose work is anthologized in the new book “Two-Countries – US Daughters & Sons of Immigrant Parents,” edited...

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Regie Gibson Amplifies Youth Voices

The inaugural Mass Cultural Council Institute will take place on March 17 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Its aim is to connect youths and their peers with city and town leadership from every corner of the Commonwealth. Our youth have tremendous capacity to be a visible and audible part...

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From Shakespeare to Hiphop with Regie Gibson

Rhode Island Black Storytellers hosts a unique event melding Shakespeare and hiphop with words and music featuring Emeritus fellow Regie Gibson and Marlon Carey, their band and others. This celebration takes place Sunday, 14th January 2018 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM at South Side Cultural Center, 393 Broad Street, Providence, RI. Email – info@ribsfest.org Website – www.ribsfest.org

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EcoLit Book Group Reads Linda Hogan

This month, Wood County Park District programs’ EcoLit Book Group will discuss “Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World,” nature essays by Linda Hogan. The meeting will take place on Jan. 11th from 7-9 p.m. at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Road, Perrysburg in the Hankison Great Room. Discussion leader:...

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Kathleen Sweeney’s Soul Realignment Workshop

Join BEI fellow Kathleen Sweeney, owner of The Center of Holistic Wellness in Mount Vernon, on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 06:30pm for a workshop to realign your Soul Blueprint. An individual’s Spiritual DNA, or Soul Blueprint, holds our greatest gifts and abilities. This workshop explains how this Blueprint becomes contaminated...

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Regie Gibson to Judge Worcester County Poetry Contest

The Worcester County Poetry Association is now accepting submissions to its annual poetry contest. BEI Emeritus Fellow, Regie Gibson, will select three winners to receive cash prizes and the winning poem will be published in the next edition of The Worcester Review, the WCPA’s nationally recognized journal. The talented chosen...

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Black Earth Institute emblem

2017 Fellows and Scholars Report

This has been a great year for the fellows and scholars of the Black Earth Institute. Their achievements across many disciplines showcase their creativity and activism and are expressions of BEI’s mission of having art address the spirit, protecting the earth and social justice. We have not only produced such...

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