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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... Guest Opinion: Synthetic turf is the wrong answer ... Our View: Scouting then and now ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The United States and Iran make a deal ... Guest Opinion: Synthetic turf is the wrong answer ... QUILLS & QUEUES Poet laureate joins art lovers in Medford Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News In celebration of art and poetry, Medford's Art du Jour Gallery is hosting Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears. Sears will conduct a writing workshop in the Adams Room of the Medford library from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25. After the workshop, Sears and attendees will move the party across the street to the Art Du Jour Gallery on Main Street for refreshments and the opportunity to enjoy the gallery's latest exhibit, which pairs artists' poems with their paintings. At the workshop, Sears will read work from his latest book, “Small Talk: New and Selected Poems.” “Small Talk” includes poems from his previous collections and adds 30 new poems. Longtime fans of Sears' work will find familiar favorites, and he will win new fans with his disarming, comic and surprising voice. Millie Clarke, assistant director at Art du Jour, says she wasn't familiar with Sears' work until recently. “I read some of his poems online and I just loved his work,” she said. “I'm thrilled he's coming to our town.” Sears is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. From 1959 to 1962, he worked in the Army as a linguist, a job that may have influenced the finely crafted language in his poetry. Sears came to Oregon in 1974 to teach creative writing at Reed College, and he has served as the community services coordinator for the Oregon Arts Commission. His poetry collection, “The Brink” was named one of Oregon's 150 best books by the Oregon State Library. In addition, he does many poetry workshops and readings at public schools, libraries, colleges, community centers and literary festivals throughout the state. He is the founder of the Oregon Literary Coalition and co-founder of Friends of William Stafford and Cloudbank Books. He teaches in the MFA program at Pacific University. Clarke says she is looking forward to seeing local poets and poetry fans at the event. “We're an art gallery, so we focus on the visual arts, but I hope we get poets and poetry groups from the region. It's so wonderful that our poet laureate can come here,” she said. According to the Oregon Cultural Trust's website, the poet laureate works as an ambassador of poetry, encouraging literacy, learning and addressing issues related to arts and heritage in this state. Sears will provide at least six and up to 20 public readings per year in settings across the state to educate community, business and state leaders about the value and importance of poetry and creative expression. This is his second visit to the Rogue Valley since becoming poet laureate last April. “There are a lot of poets in this area,” said Clarke. “I think it will be a great opportunity to have a workshop with Peter Sears, to talk with him and hear him read his poetry.” For the writing workshop, please bring paper and pencil or pen. Tickets for the workshop and reception are $15 and can be purchased at Art du Jour. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 5 to 8 p.m. on Third Fridays. For more information, call 541-770-3190. Art Du Jour Gallery is located at 213 E. Main Street, Medford. The Medford Library is located at 205 South Central Ave., Medford Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected].   By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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