Nadell Fishman
CALAIS – Vermont poets Nadell Fishman and Sydney Lea, former Vermont Poet Laureate (2011–2015), will read for the final reading in this year’s series, “Words Out Loud: Poetry, Place, and the Passage of Time,” at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Old West Church, 758 Old West Church Road.
Nadell Fishman’s books of poetry include “Drive” (2001), “At Work in the Bridal Industry” (2011), and her newest collection, “Traveling,” published by Finishing Line Press in December 2022. Fishman has taught writing and literature for many years through Vermont College’s Adult Degree Program and has co-led (with poet Baron Wormser) weekend gatherings focusing on the work of Jane Kenyon, Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath, and Ann Sexton.
Sydney Lea
Sydney Lea a founding editor of New England Review, served as Vermont’s Poet Laureate from 2011 to 2015 and received Vermont’s 2021 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. He has published 24 books: a novel, five volumes of personal and three of critical essays, and 16 poetry collections, including “Pursuit of a Wound” (a 2001 Finalist for The Pulitzer Prize in poetry) and, most recently, “What Shines” (Four Way Books, NYC, 2023). His sixth book of personal essays, “Such Dancing as We Can,” is due in late 2023, and his second novel, “Now Look,” in spring of 2024.
“Words Out Loud” has been organized by poet Mary Elder Jacobsen with the support of the Art at the Kent curatorial team. The series marks the ninth year of Sunday afternoon readings of work by Vermont writers at the historic 1823 meetinghouse, the Old West Church, presented in tandem with the annual Fall Art at the Kent exhibit in Kents’ Corner. Book sales and signings and a chance to meet the presenters will follow the readings. Donations are suggested. No tickets required for the readings but arrive early to allow time for parking and seating ahead of the 3 p.m. start.
