Gilbert-Chappell Readings in Spring 2024
The annual spring readings for Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series have been scheduled across the state during April, National Poetry Month. On Monday, April 1, at noon, the reading in the western region was held in the Student Union Auditorium at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee (see attached photo). On Saturday, May 18, at 5 p.m., the reading in the central region will take place at Fly Leaf Books in Chapel Hill. And on Saturday, June 1, at 4 p.m., the GCDPS reading for the eastern region will take place at renowned Fountain General Store in Fountain. Everyone is welcome to attend these free events. We encourage you to support the next generation of North Carolina poets!
2024 Mentees for the Eastern Region
We are pleased to announce the Gilbert-Chappell Series emerging poets who have been selected for the eastern region in spring 2024: Amya Brown of Greenville (high school); Sienna Morgan of Rocky Mount (adult); Mckenna Ware-Rudnik of Whiteville (high school); and Jalyn White of Pinetops (high school). Congratulations to all, and thanks to our Eastern Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones and Distinguished Poet Melinda Thomsen.
2024 Mentees for the Central Region
We are pleased to announce the Gilbert-Chappell Series emerging poets who have been selected for the central region in spring 2024: Aarushi Areti of Apex (middle school); Cora Hicks of High Point (college); Jasmine Kumala of Durham (adult); and Kiran Singh of Cary (high school). Thanks to all who applied for this program and especially to our Central Regional Coordinator Sherry Siddall and Distinguished Poet Maria Rouphail.
2024 Mentees for the Western Region
We are pleased to announce the Gilbert-Chappell Series emerging poets who have been selected for the western region in spring 2024: Kaye Marion Campbell of Watauga County (high school); Ezra Dalton of Jackson County (college); Janet Ford of Alexander County (adult); and Mary Ellen Hammond of Swain County (adult). Thanks to all who applied for this program and especially to our Western Regional Coordinator Caleb Beissert and Distinguished Poet Mildred Kiconco Barya.
2023 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Now Available
The 2023 issue of Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, the yearly anthology published by the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Series, is now available. Special thanks to Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for his wonderful work editing this volume, which includes poems by our three Distinguished Poets and their mentees from across the state. To purchase a copy, click here.
New Distinguished Poet in the Western Region
Regional Coordinator Caleb Beissert has named Mildred Kiconco Barya as Distinguished Poet for 2023-25 for the western Region. Ms. Barya is a Ugandan poet, prose writer, and associate professor at UNC-Asheville. She’s the author of four full-length poetry collections, most recently The Animals of My Earth School, released by Terrapin Books, 2023. Her prose, hybrids, and poems have appeared in a variety of publications. Her essay, “Being Here in This Body,” won the 2020 Linda Flowers Literary Award. She coordinates the Poetrio Reading events at Malaprop’s Independent Bookstore/Café and blogs here: www.mildredbarya.com.
Special thanks to Ken Chamlee for his excellent mentorship during 2021-23 in the western region.
New Distinguished Poet in the Central Region
Regional Coordinator Janis Harrington has named Maria Rouphail as Distinguished Poet for 2023-25 for the central region. Ms. Rouphail is Poetry Editor of Main Street Rag and has published three collections. Her latest collection, All the Way to China, was a finalist in both the University of Wisconsin Brittingham Poetry and the Blue Light Press competitions. Her earlier collections are Apertures and Second Skin. In 2022, Rouphail won the NCPS Poet Laureate competition. In 2023, she was awarded in both the Randall Jarrell and the Prime Magazines contests. A six-time Pushcart nominee, she lives in Raleigh.
Special thanks to Grace Ocasio for her excellent mentorship during 2021-23 in the central region.
New Central Regional Coordinator
We are pleased to announce that Sherry Siddall has agreed to serve as the new Regional Coordinator for the central region. She is the author of the chapbook Sweet Land, published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. Her work has appeared in Tar River Poetry, Kakalak, Pinesong, and elsewhere, and has been nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize. She lives in Chapel Hill.
Special thanks to Janis Harrington for her excellent leadership in the central region from 2021-23.
Gilbert-Chappell Reading in Western Carolina
The first Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series reading this spring took place at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee during the Western Carolina Literary Festival on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 12 noon in the Student Union. The reading featured Distinguished Poet Ken Chamlee and his four mentee poets. This year’s reading was another outstanding event!
Gilbert-Chappell Readings in Central Carolina
Three Gilbert-Chappell readings took place in the central region this spring. The first occurred at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, at the main public library in Hillsborough. The second occurred at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at Union County Library, 316 E. Windsor Street, in Monroe. These readings featured Distinguished Poet Grace Ocasio and her three mentees. Both in-person events were very satisfying, showcasing new literary talent. The third reading took place on Zoom on Sunday, May 7, with all the mentees and Grace Ocasio reading their work. A remarkable season!
Gilbert-Chappell Reading in Eastern Carolina
This year’s Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series reading in eastern NC will take place on Saturday, April 22, at 4 p.m. at the R.A. Fountain General Store in Fountain, NC. This special event celebrates National Poetry Month and Melinda Thomsen’s being named Distinguished Poet for the eastern region. For this program of original poetry, she’ll be joined by four emerging poets: Marty Pitcairn from New Bern; Ellie Lorenz, a middle school student from Wilmington; and high school students Jess Wallace from Trinity and Justin Wellons from Hallsboro.
The Emerging Poets for 2023
The emerging poets for the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poets Series for 2023 have been selected! In the western region, they include: middle school student Dylan Zhang of Winston-Salem; high school student Milo Gillespie of Marion; college student Mallory Edwards of Asheville; and Molly Bolton, adult, of Banner Elk. These students will work with Distinguished Poet Ken Chamlee during early spring 2023 and give reading(s) later on. Thanks to Western Regional Coordinator Caleb Beissert for overseeing the process.
In the central region, the emerging poets are: high school students Namrata Bingu of Charlotte and Joelis Hernandez Rodriguez of Indian Trail; college student Savannah Phillips of Kershaw (SC); and Kristia Vasiloff, adult, of Hillsborough. These poets will work with Distinguished Poet Grace Ocasio during early spring 2023 and give reading(s) later on. Thanks to Central Regional Coordinator Janis Harrington for helping oversee the process.
In the eastern region of North Carolina, the emerging poets selected are: middle school student Elie Lorenz of Wilmington; high school students Jess Wallace of Trinity and Justin Wellons of Hallsboro; and Marty Pitcairn, adult, of New Bern. These poets will work with Distinguished Poet Melinda Thomsen during early spring 2023 and give reading(s) later on. Thanks to Regional Coordinator Kelly Jones for overseeing the process.
These twelve emerging poets represent the future of lyric writing in North Carolina, and we look forward to seeing the work they produce with guidance from their distinguished mentors.
Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Available
The 2022 anthology of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series, entitled Witness: From Appalachia to Hatteras, is now available. The volume includes work by twelve emerging poets from 2021-22 as well as by the Distinguished Poets in the three regions of North Carolina. Special thanks to Kelly Jones for his great efforts editing Witness. To order your copy, click here.
Gilbert-Chappell Reading on September 25th
Our concluding Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series on-line reading took place on Sunday, September 25, at 2 p.m. Distinguished Poet Anna Lena Phillips Bell and her mentees from the eastern region showcased their poetry. Thanks to Kelly Jones for arranging this event.
Chapel Hill Reading on April 30
Jan Harrington, Regional Coordinator for the central region of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series, hosted a showcase reading by Distinguished Poet Grace Ocasio and three emerging poets that took place on Saturday, April 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Stoneridge-Sedgefield Swim and Racquet Club in Chapel Hill. The setting was beautiful for a deeply satisfying reading. (Pictured from left are Amber Watson, Grace Ocasio, Isabella F. Kang, and Kenna Zhang.)
Gilbert-Chappell Reading on April 11
Grace Ocasio, Distinguished Poet for the central region, showcased a reading with three emerging poets-Melanie Diaz, Isabella F. Kang, and Amber Watson–at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte on Monday, April 11, at 1 p.m. This reading formed part of CPCC’s famed Sensoria Festival, which features a rich array of events each year in all the arts, including culinary.
Gilbert-Chappell Reading on March 14
Western Carolina University’s 20th annual Spring Literary Festival featured the 2022 Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series western region reading by Distinguished Poet Dr. Kenneth Chamlee and student poets Vivian I. Bikulege, Mike Islas, Shaun Kawalec, and Sydney Moretz. The reading took place at noon on Monday, March 14, in the A. K. Hinds University Center Theater. Audience response was very positive, and the mood was festive.
2022 Gilbert-Chappell Poets Selected for the Eastern Region
Anna Lena Phillips Bell, Distinguished Poet for the eastern region, in consultation with regional coordinator Kelly Jones, has selected four emerging poets to work with her in spring 2022: Leah Dew (high school) from Clarendon; Hayden Garmane (high school) from Goldsboro; Lauran Jones (college) from Wilmington; and Emily Jaeger (adult) from Wilmington. Congratulations to these poets and thanks to all who submitted.
2022 Gilbert-Chappell Poets Selected for the Central Region
Grace Ocasio, Distinguished Poet for the central region, in consultation with regional coordinator Janis Harrington, has selected four emerging poets to work with her in spring 2022: Kenna Zhang (middle school) from Cary; Isabella F. Kang (high school) from Waxhaw; Melanie Diaz (college) from Indian Trail; and Amber Watson (adult) from Durham. Congratulations to these poets, and thanks to all who submitted.
2022 Gilbert-Chappell Poets Selected for the Western Region
Ken Chamlee, Distinguished Poet for the central region, in consultation with regional coordinator Caleb Beissert, has selected four emerging poets to work with him in spring 2022: Sydney Moretz (middle school) from Boone; Shaun Kawalec (high school) from Winston-Salem; Mike Islas (college) from Asheville; and Vivian I. Bikulege (adult) from Brevard. Congratulations to these poets, and thanks to all who submitted.
2021 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Now Available
The 2021 Gilbert-Chappell anthology, Witness: Appalachia to Hatteras, is now available, thanks to the dedicated efforts of wonder-worker Kelly Jones, aka Gilbert-Chappell Coordinator of the Eastern Region. Copies are available at www.lulu.com or at other outlets in coming weeks. Click here for a direct link to the fine poetry our Gilbert-Chappell poets have created in the past year. Thanks so much, Kelly, for your efforts.
New Distinguished Poet in the West
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to announce that Ken Chamlee has agreed to serve as Distinguished Poet in the western region. Ken won The GSU Review Writing Award, the Word Journal Poetry Prize, has been a finalist for the James Applewhite Poetry Prize and twice a finalist in the Iowa Review Poetry Contest. He has two contest-winning chapbooks, Absolute Faith (ByLine Magazine) and Logic of the Lost (Longleaf Press), and has received three Pushcart Prize nominations. Special thanks to Jessica Jacobs for her service as Distinguished Poet this past year.
2020 Gilbert-Chappell Anthology Now Available
The 2020 Gilbert-Chappell anthology, Witness: Appalachia to Hatteras, is now available, thanks to the dedicated work of wonder-worker Kelly Jones, aka Gilbert-Chappell Coordinator of the Eastern Region. Copies are available at www.lulu.com or at other outlets in coming weeks. Click here for a direct link to the fine poetry our Gilbert-Chappell poets have created in the past year. Thanks so much, Kelly, for your efforts.
New Distinguished Poet
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to welcome a new Distinguished Poet for the central region of North Carolina. She is Grace Ocasio of Charlotte, accomplished poet and active participant in the literary community, who will serve from 2021-23. To read more details about her, click here. We thank Dasan Ahanu for his dedicated service as Distinguished Poet these past two years during a difficult time of the pandemic.
New Coordinator for the Eastern Region
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to welcome Janis Harrington as the new Regional Coordinator of the central region of North Carolina. Her second full-length book, How to Cut a Woman in Half, was a finalist for the Able Muse Book Award and will be published in 2021. She won the Lena Shull Book Award, given by the North Carolina Poetry Society, for her first collection, Waiting for the Hurricane (St. Andrews University Press, 2017). Her work has appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies. She lives with her husband in Chapel Hill.
New Coordinator for the Eastern Region
The Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series is delighted to welcome Kelly Jones as the new Regional Coordinator of the eastern region of North Carolina. He serves as Arts Education Coordinator for Columbus County Schools and lives in Tabor City, NC. Kelly is a member of the committee that organizes the A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest, North Carolina’s longest-running student poetry contest. He is also an active member of Nexus Poets, based in New Bern, and an alumnus of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series. His works have appeared in such publications as Kakalak and Flying South.
About the Series
This mentoring program links established poets in three regions of North Carolina with emerging poets, enabling them to develop and perfect their lyric craft. Students in middle school, high school, and college, and adults not in school may apply to work with a Distinguished Poet during the winter months. Our Distinguished Poets this year are: Anna Lena Phillips Bell in the eastern region, Grace Ocasio in the central region, and Ke3n Chamlee in the western region. In spring 2021, the resulting poems will be presented at group and individual readings at venues across the state. An anthology of these poems entitled Witness: Appalachia to Hatteras will be published by Saint Andrews University Press in late 2021. To read the brochure or apply for the program, click on the links below.
The Gilbert-Chappell Series Leadership
Our Regional Coordinators for 2021-22 are: Kelly Jones in the East, Janis Harrington in the Center, and Caleb Beissert in the West. Thanks to these talented new poet-leaders as we enter the new cycle of mentoring this coming winter and spring. David Radavich remains the overall Administrator of the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet Series.