Poetry Celebration with Juan Felipe Herrera April 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Juan Felipe Herrera

Please join us for the Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Celebration with special guest speaker Mexican American Poet Juan Felipe Herrera. Herrera served as the 21st Poet Laureate of the United States from 2015 to 2016, the first Latino to hold the position, and as the California Poet Laureate from 2012 to 2015. He is the author of more than 30 books and is also a Performance Artist and Activist on behalf of migrant and indigenous communities and at-risk youth. Learn more about Mr. Herrera.

Juan Felipe Herrera will speak at 1:00 p.m. Student winners of the Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Contest will read their poems and receive an award from the South Carolina State Library. All are welcome to join us for this community celebration of poetry in honor of National Poetry Month.

Schedule

Doors open at 12:00 p.m. The Awards Ceremony and Presentation by Juan Felipe Herrera will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception. At 3:00 p.m., guests will have an opportunity to have their books signed by Mr. Herrera. Books will be available for purchase at the event or you may bring up to four of your own books to be signed by the author.

Tickets

This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited. Please register for a ticket to reserve a space. Guests may register up to four family members on one ticket. Please bring a paper copy or phone image of your ticket with you.

Book Signing

Guests will have an opportunity to have their book signed by Mr. Herrera following the awards ceremony. Books will be available for purchase at the event or you may bring up to four of your own books to be signed by the author.

Parking

Free parking is available on the weekends in the surface lots and meters around the State Library. Metered parking is also available at the USC Pendleton Street Garage near the State Library.

Accessibility

If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact Denise Lyons.

Contact

If you have more questions, please contact  Denise Lyons.

Upcoming Event

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Jennifer Bartell Boykin, Poet Laureate of Columbia, SC

April 25, 2024, 6:00 PM
Join the South Carolina State Library's Center for the Book for our next Speaker at the Center Author Talk, featuring Poet Laureate of Columbia, SC, Jennifer Bartell Boykin. She will discuss her debut book of poetry, Traveling Mercy, and her upcoming release, Only Believe (The Word Works), a winner of the 2023 Hilary Tham Capital Collection.