Wandering Poet to Give Evening Reading

Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye will read from various collections of her poems 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Victoria Hall, downtown Santa Barbara. After the reading, Nye will hold a book signing (books may be purchased at the event). Nye also will speak in Westmont’s chapel 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21 on “The Light that Shines on Us All: A World of Voices.”

"Both events are free and open to the public.

Nye is a poet, essayist, children’s author and songwriter. She was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother and grew up in St. Louis, Jerusalem and San Antonio. Drawing on her Palestinian-American heritage, the cultural diversity of her home in Texas, and her experiences traveling in many parts of the world including Asia and the Middle East, Nye uses her writing to attest of our shared humanity.

Self-described as a “wandering poet,” Nye has spent the last 30 years crossing the country and the world to lead writing workshops and to inspire students of all ages. Nye has authored more than 20 volumes. Her books include “19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East,” “Fuel,” and “Never in a Hurry.” For young readers she has written “Habibi,” “Lullaby Raft” and “Baby Radar,” a picture book.

Nye currently lives in San Antonio with her husband, photographer Michael Nye, and their teen-age son.
For more information about Nye, visit http://www.westmont.edu/CCL2005/. These events are sponsored by the provost’s office, English department, Intercultural Programs and the Conference on Christianity and Literature.

For more information, contact the public affairs office at (805) 565- 7057 or e-mail pubaffairs@westmont.edu. For directions to campus, visit www.westmont.edu.  A digital image of Nye is available upon request.