AMBER MATTICE
Life & Arts Editor
Poetry is a unique art form when it stands alone. It is powerful and moving for many people. When a performance aspect is added and people come together to perform their own poetry in one place, it becomes something more.
On April 27, Writer’s Ring will be hosting their annual poetry festival in the Costello Community Room in the Rockefeller Arts Center from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
This year, Devin Johnson, a freshman audio/radio production major, and Skye Mitchell, a junior physics, engineering and English triple major, will be co-hosting the event alongside Fredonia alumni Goddess X.
X is based in Washington D.C. and is currently working on getting her first book published.
“‘Goddess’ poetry is heartfelt and carefully crafted with a dedication that is hardly heard of in this generation of multi-genre artists … We are very excited for Goddess to come and headline our event and add a professional’s touch to our readings,” said senior English major and Writers’ Ring Secretary Anthony Licata.
According to Mitchell, Johnson is particularly excited to be hosting the event alongside X.
“We may [perform] a small piece, but I know Devin is super excited to have this chance to stand with his idol and mentor, Goddess X, on the same format again,” they said.
There are several students slated to perform their works at the poetry festival, some of which include Sisana Siriphanh, a senior video production major; Kanard Lewis, a junior audio/radio production major and Kezia McShine, a senior theatre major.
For many students in Writers’ Ring, this has been a relatively quiet semester for the group, and they are hoping to end it by celebrating poetry and the student writers on campus.
“I think the poetry festival, especially this upcoming edition, is an important time for all of us to get together and celebrate an underappreciated art form. Poetry is an ambiguous art, and although it can be ridiculed for this ambiguity, it is this diverse storytelling ability that makes the poetry so powerful,” said Licata. “We are very excited to have the focus of our event be on student performers this year. [It’s] a great opportunity to showcase the talent and heart of Fredonia’s writers and performers.”
The event will give students a chance to hear the unique voices of writers on campus of all majors and to hear pieces that many have been working on throughout the semester.
“I personally love going to poetry festivals because there’s always an amazing variety of people to talk to and to hear from. Everyone has a different view of the world, and this poetry festival is the perfect format to explore that,” said Mitchell.