Literary Artists Coming to UWG

The University of West Georgia is hosting the School of Arts Reading series of literary artists this spring. Artists will speak to students about their own personal creative journeys and read from their work.

Recently, UWG hosted Irish poet Annemarie Curran in January, who read from her most recent poetry collection, “The Poison Glen”.

Chad Davidson, Director of School of the Arts and English Professor, prepared a lineup of literary artists to speak at UWG. Having visiting authors gives students insight into potential careers and inspires them to create.

“Exposing our students to professional authors—many at the peak of their own powers, others at the start of long, illustrious careers—is paramount, but our surrounding community also benefits from the wide range of contacts our faculty have,” says Davidson.

 “Creative writing students ought to be involved in these processes,” continued Davidson. “They should feel free to speak to their professors about writers they’re excited about. Through generous funding from The Warren and Ava Sewell Foundation, the School of the Arts has the capacity and means to bring in multiple authors each year, but the creative writing program often hosts writers of their own.”

            2022 Blackwell Prize in Writing winner, Amina Gautier will also visit UWG to read from her short story collection, “The Loss of All Things”, Monday, March 14 at 6 p.m. Events such as these allow students to come and tap into their creative spaces and see that such things are possible. 

“Students wishing to be more involved in creative-writing should take creative writing classes,” said Davidson. “ENGL 2060, our getaway class, has no prerequisite. There are then intermediate and advanced classes in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and more. Become part of our rich writing culture.”

The next upcoming artist will visit February 16 at 6 p.m. The artist that is visiting is accomplished, four-time Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, Paul Allen Hunton; Hunton will be discussing his latest film, “Between Earth and Sky: Climate Change on the Last Frontier” and his many other projects.