LECS WEAVER
Special to The Leader
As Bianca Stone put it, “Memory is not quite what we think it is.” And boy was she right.
Stone’s reading on October 23 in the Marion Art Gallery proved to be a memorable experience for students, professors and community members alike.
If you weren’t able to meet her, Bianca Stone is the Vermont Poet Laureate.
She is the author of several works, including four poetry collections, and is the founder of the Ruth Stone House, located in Goshen, Vt.
The Ruth Stone House is a foundation dedicated to cultivating creativity, celebrating the works of the late Ruth Stone — Stone’s grandmother and former Poet Laureate in Vermont — and ultimately creating a creative community among the writers of Vermont.
Fredonia was fortunate enough to have Stone come speak and workshop with students for the Mary Louise White Visiting Writers Series of Fall 2025.
Her reading consisted of various pieces from her works, with most selections being from her most recent publication, “What Is Otherwise Infinite.”
After her reading, attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions about her writing process and inspiration.
If you have ever read Stone’s work, you would know that she often has themes of religion throughout her pieces. Many readers were curious about this, so a student asked, “Where does religious inspiration come from in your poetry?”
Stone replied, “I find that spirituality for me is a really important aspect of my poetic practice and in my practice of being a human.”
She continued with, “I think the unknowability of the spiritual and immaterial mimics the unknowability of being and language, and this is reflected in poetry. I feel like ultimately, as a secular person, I find my spiritual strivings through poetry, reading poetry and writing it.”
“I think it’s important for us; we need those outlets,” she said.
This answer seemed to have resonated with many of the writers and readers in the room.
After the reading, the gallery was buzzing with conversation. So many people seemed to be aflame by Stone’s words and were excited to chat with her and even get their books signed.
Stone was a very engaging guest and was willing to give everyone time with her, allowing for a fully enriched experience.
You do not have to be a member of the English department to know that this reading was a memorable experience, and Fredonia was lucky to have Stone as a visiting writer.
Creative outlets come in all shapes and sizes, and Stone did an amazing job summarizing this idea.