Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets 65th Anniversary

WISCONSIN FELLOWSHIP OF POETS CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF POETRY-MAKING

Wisconsin poets, writers and poetry fans will converge June 5-7, 2015 at the Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, to celebrate the 65th "birthday" of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.

The WFOP held its first meeting at the UW-Madison Memorial Union on April 23, 1950. The organization is devoted to promoting a fuller recognition and appreciation of poetry around the state through seminars, a quarterly Museletter, two annual conferences, poetry contests and awards, and other regional and statewide events. WFOP publishes the annual Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar, is represented on the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission, and sponsors educational activities throughout Wisconsin.

The Green Lake conference will feature readings, an open "mic," as well as a variety of workshops, a book and craft fair and musical performances.

Among the special guests are nationally-known poet Dorianne Laux, who will give a reading on Saturday, June 6, as well as lead a poetry workshop the same day. Laux is the author of five poetry collections, including The Book of Men (W.W. Norton), winner of The Paterson Prize. Wisconsin's new poet laureate Kimberly Blaeser will speak on Sunday, June 7.

Workshops include, "The Ins & Outs of Submitting Poetry," with Poynette poet and editor F. J. Bergmann; and a bookmaking session, "Design & Print Your Own Broadside / Book Cover / Poem Postcard" led by Daniel Goscha, The Mill Paper & Book Arts Center, Rhinelander. Other workshops will give instruction on performance poetry, how to incorporate music into poetry, and how to launch an anthology project.

Music makers will include former Wisconsin poet-laureate Bruce Dethlefsen along with  the Big Talkers Jazz / Blues quartet, performing on Saturday, June 6.

Conference registration is $75, including meals. Students and those attending a WFOP conference for the first time pay no registration fee but must bear the costs of any meals. For more information, http://wfop.org/confrncs/65conf.html

Registration can still take place on Friday, June 5. The registration fee includes all meals. Rooms at Green Lake Conference Center are also available that Friday or Saturday- either for WFOP members or the public-that is managed by GLCC at Kraft Hall.