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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2000)
Arts&Entertainment Local calendar pairs poets, artists By Jason Hardy Senior staff writer About a week and a half ago, the calendar turned. The world turned its eyes and imagination to the uncharted future. It was the year 2000. The Black Star Press, the instrument that helps count less people plan their upcom ing year, will also help them remember some of Nebraska’s best poets and artists this year. Nine artists and 12 poets from Nebraska are featured in the newly-released 2000 Nebraska Poets Calendar, a calendar that pairs poems by Nebraska poets with art by Nebraska artists. The J calendar has been published since • 1994 M The project is an effort to celebrate E the character of Nebraska, said Sarah E Fairchild, Black Star Press editor. She said she wanted to showcase B Nebraska art and poetry in a calendar for mat instead of an annual book because a calendar was something everyone need “We decided that poetry books don’t Art Courtesy of Nebraska Poets Calendar sell very well every year, but a calendar is something that’s useful too,” Fairchild said. Julia Noyes, owner of the Noyes Art Gallery in Lincoln, is featured twice in the calendar - on its cover and in conjunc tion with a poem. Noyes said she was happy to participate in the project because, by nature, a calendar was more visible than a book. “If it’s a calendar, people see it every day,” she said. “Maybe they’ll read the poems many times and look at the picture many times, so I guess people will proba bly look at it more.” Roy Scheele, a poet in residence at Doane College in Crete and a featured poet in the calendar, said the calendar for mat was definitely a good way to show case the art and character of Nebraska. “I think its value as being something different is part of its appeal,” Scheele said. “A lot of times people will see my poem, and they’ll mention it to me when they see me, so that’s kind of fun. “I also think poets and writers gener ally don’t get that much feedback, and I probably get , more feed- « back from the poems I pub- ] lish in the calendar than > I normally do otherwise.” i Aside from the < Nebraska Poets Calendar’s appeal as something different, Scheele said the pairing of art and poet ^ I think its always nteresting to see somebody s illustration because it uncovers something for the poet 'hat they may not have been aware of” Roy Scheele poet ry that was decidedly Nebraskan tends to better promote each individual artistic endeavor. “I think it’s always interesting to see somebody’s illustration because it uncov ers something for the poet that they might not nave been aware or, ne said. “It’s like having a reader’s interpretation of your poem in visual form.” While at times the art and poetry were created indepen dently of each other, some of the artwork was specifically’ inspired by a particular poem, as with Scheele’s. poem, “The Wanting Figure,” and Janna Harsch’s untitled artwork that accompanies it. For Scheele, the collaboration is a big asset to the calendar’s overall effec UVgilCdd. “Hhink what happens with an illustra tion is it gives the reader another layer to the poem,” he said. “Usually an illustra tion picks out an image or two and com bines them to give the reader another 1 dimension to the poem. “I think it’s especially good for some one who may not read all that much poet ry.” Fairchild said she couldn’t be more pleased with the success of the calendar. It is available at a number of galleries and bookstores around Lincoln, including the Noyes Art Gallery, the University Place Art Gallery, the Heritage Room and Lee Booksellers. “I thought I’d only do it for one year,” Fairchild said. “But the enthusiasm of the poets was so great. They seemed so appreciative o^ the calendar that I just want to keep itup.” Fairchild said the calendar has become something many Nebraskans enjoy year after year. “Often they buy it in twos and threes,” Fairchild said.