Hello Friends!
As I end my tenure as Santa Fe Poet Laureate, I want to thank all the individuals and organizations and supporters who have made my two years as poet laureate so wonderful. Below is a listing of all the events, readings, workshops, and panels I've been part of as a representative of the life and vibrancy of Santa Fe's commitment to poetry. Thank you. Valerie
Publications
1. And They Called It Horizon: Santa Fe Poems by Valerie Martínez. Sunstone Press, Summer 2010.
2. “This is How It Began” (long poem about Santa Fe). Special, hand-press edition, Press at the Palace of the Governors, March 2010.
3. Each and Her (book-length poem) by Valerie Martínez. University of Arizona Press, Fall 2010.
4. Lines and Circles: A Celebration of Santa Fe Families. Edited by Valerie Martínez. Sunstone Press, January 2010.
Readings, Appearances, Workshops, Events
4/27/10 Judge: National Poetry Out Loud (POL) Finals. Washington, DC.
4/16/10 Reading: Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque
4/11/10 Panel Presentations: Associated Writing Programs (AWP) Annual Conference. Women Writing the West and Write the Relationship: Poetic Friendships, Denver.
3/27/10 Poet/Performer: Form & Function: a spoken word/collaborative performance in response to the Form & Function exhibit at 516 Arts, Albuquerque, with poets Jasmine Cuffee, Lauren Camp, and Jamie Figueroa. 516 Arts, ABQ, 8 p.m.
3/25/10 Moderator: 9 for 5: Presenting Nine Albuquerque Poets. A reading by nine poets in Valerie’s Advanced Poetry Workshop conducted in the fall of 2009. Part of Women & Creativity Month 2010.
3/8/10 Reading: Mayoral and City Councilors Swearing-In. Lensic Performing Arts Center, 6 p.m.
3/6/10 Poet/Performer: Salve: Women on War and Warriorship, a spoken-word and music piece based on interviews with women war veterans, part of Women & Creativity Month, 2010. A Littleglobe collaboration with Littleglobe, Bing, and the NHCC. Journal Theater, National Hispanic Cultural Center, 7 p.m.
1/12/10 Writing Workshop: Annie Leibovitz and the Intimate Image. Art and Leadership Program for Women. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. 7-9 p.m.
12/18/09 Reading: A Tribute to Gerard Manley Hopkins. AS KINGFISHERS CATCH FIRE, with actors, dancers, poets, and other performers. Produce by Theaterwork. James A. Little Theater, 7 p.m.
11/21/09 Reading: Santa Fe Watershed Association Gala Event. Del Charro Grill/Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe. 6:30 p.m.
11/6/09 Burque Poetico, Cervantes Institute, Roundtable discussion of Latino Poetry in the Contemporary World, with Columbian poet Amando Romero, 7 p.m.
11/5/09 Panel Presentation: Creative Voices. National Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference, University of New Mexico, 2-4 p.m.
11/4/09 SAGE Magazine/Albuquerque Journal Luncheon. Recipient of one of the “Twenty Women Who Have Made a Difference” awards for Valerie’s creative and community service.
10/30/09 Reading: Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration, National Hispanic Cultural Center, 5:30 p.m.
10/29/09 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 6:30 p.m. One of Valerie’s poems appeared in the program.
10/22/09 Santa Fe High School, Julie Hasted’s English Class and the SFHS Poetry Club.Reading, Writing, and Spoken Word activities with students.
10/16-17/09 The Santa Fe Book Arts Group (BAG): Celebration of the Book. Southside Library. Exhibition of Art Books (made by members of BAG), bookmaking and poetry activities with members of BAG and Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez.
9/26/09 Reading: the 2009 National Book Festival, NEA Pavilion, Washington, DC.
Other NEA writers/readers included Kay Ryan, U.S. Poet Laureate; Jane Hirshfield, Ed Hirsch, Ana Menendez, Ayar Zafisi, and Tim O’Brien.
9/6/09 Reading of an excerpt from “And They Called It Horizon” (a long poem about Santa Fe). 400th Anniversary/Commemoration Opening Ceremony. Ft. Marcy Field, Santa Fe.
Sept-Dec/09 Instructor: Advanced Poetry Workshop: A five week workshop for advanced poets. Albuquerque, Fall 2009.
8/6-7/09 Member of the 2009 NEA Panel awarding grants to Literary Presses and Publishers. Washington, DC.
7/23/09 Writing and Art Workshop (with visual artist Gary Myers). “The Letter: The Visual Poetics of Written Correspondence” in conjunction with the Santa Fe Opera world premiere of Paul Moravec’s “The Letter” and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum exhibition Georgia O’Keeffe: Beyond Our Shores.” 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Education Annex.
7/13-16/09 Faculty member, Taos Summer Writers Conference. Taught a week-long master poetry workshop.
6/28/09 Writing Workshop for Art Teachers, “From There to Here” in conjunction with the exhibition: Georgia O’Keeffe Beyond Our Shores. Georgia O’Keeffe Education Programs. 9-11 a.m.
6/9-11/2009 Writing Workshop (3 days of creative exercises and writing). VOCES Youth Program, winner of an Arts Alliance Bravos Award, NHCC.
4/18/09 Arts Alliance Bravos Award Dinner in support of the VOCES Youth Program of the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), serving New Mexico high school students, 6 p.m.,Albuquerque.
4/16/09 Reading. Poetry Jam, 2009, in support of New Mexico CultureNet’s Poets in the Schools (PITS) program. 7 p.m., Lensic Performing Arts Center.
4/4/09 Judge. National High School Poetry Slam Qualifying Competition, Santa Fe Indian School. 7 p.m.
3/27/09 Ekphrastic Performance (with poets Maureen Seaton and Jasmine
Cuffee) in response to a Sheri Crider installation. SCA Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, 7 p.m. Women & Creativity Month, 2009.
3/22/09 Meeting of the Lines and Circles Poet Laureate Educational/Outreach Project Families. 2 p.m. O’Shaughnessy Performing Space, College of Santa Fe.
3/15/09 Spoken Word and Musical Performance. SALVE: Women on War and Warriorship—based on interviews with women war veterans, in celebration of Women & Creativity Month, 2009. A Littleglobe production with Molly Sturges, Linne Lalire, Alex Neville, Chris Jonas, Poppy Wilder, and J.A. Deane. New Mexico Veterans War Memorial, Albuquerque, 2 p.m.
3/14/09 Spoken Word and Musical Performance. SALVE: Women on War and Warriorship—based on interviews with women war veterans, in celebration of Women & Creativity Month, 2009. A Littleglobe production with Molly Sturges, Linne Lalire, Alex Neville, Chris Jonas, Poppy Wilder, and J.A. Deane.O’Shaughnessy Performance Space, College of Santa Fe.
3/12/09 Reading: One Poem Festival, Palabra Pura. Jazz Showcase, Chicago, 6 p.m.
3/3/09 Reading. Dear Eve, Lilith, and Emily…with writers Dana Levin and Robin Romm in celebration of Women & Creativity Month. 12:30 p.m., College of Santa Fe.
2/14/09 Reading & Panel Presentation: “Women Poets on Mentorship: Efforts and Affections.” Associated Writing Programs (AW) Annual Conference, Chicago.
2/14/09 Panel Moderator: “Sibling Rivalries: Spoken & Written Word Poetry and the Literary Tug-of-War,” Associated Writing Programs (AWP) Annual Conference, Chicago: with Jon Davis, Danny Solis, Jill Battson, and Michelle Holland.
2/8/09 Judge. Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest—New Mexico State Competition Finals, 2009, 1 p.m., St. Francis Auditorium.
11/18/08 Writing Workshop: “The Art of Self-Image” (accompanying the exhibition of “Georgia O’Keeffe and the Camera: The Art of Identity”), Arts & Leadership Program, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, 7-9 p.m.
11/16/08 Second Meeting of the Lines and Circles Families Poet Laureate Project.
11/10/08 Reading/Discussion with ArtWorks kids, grades 6-8, 10-11:30 a.m., Santa Fe.
11/8/08 Presentation. Letras Latinas Salon, hosted by Francisco Aragon (Director of the Institute for Latino/a Studies at Notre Dame), 4 p.m. Santa Fe.
11/8/08 Reading and Presentation: Poetry and Science. Santa Fe Institute “The Road Less Traveled” Gala Event, 7 p.m., Eldorado Hotel, Santa Fe
11/3/08 Talk and Slide Show Presentation: “Georgia O’Keeffe and the Art of Identity.” Breakfast with O’Keeffe, 8:30 a.m., Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
10/30/08 Reading: Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Community Convention Center, 6:30 p.m.
10/17/08 Reading and Discussion, Bear Canyon Retirement Community Center, as part of the Santa Fe Opera’s participation in the national Big Read Event.
10/2/08 First Meeting of the Lines and Circle Families
9/27/08 New Mexico Women Authors’ Book Festival, Reading and Book-Signing, Museum Hill, Santa Fe, 2 p.m.
9/29/08 Reading followed by a writing workshop: International Conference on Creative Tourism, Santa Fe.
9/25/08 Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA), Phitya Series Reading, 7:30 p.m.
9/14/08 Reading & Panel Presentation, “Integrating Poetry Into Life,” STIR: A Festival of Words. Harwood Arts Center, Albuquerque.
9/13/08 Reading, Grand Opening of the new Santa Fe Railyard Complex, Santa Fe, 1 p.m.
9/2/08 Reading/Celebration for the Poet Laureate and the 20th Anniversary of the College of Santa Fe Creative Writing Program.
8/30/08 Women’s Focus Radio Program, KUNM (89.9 FM) Radio. Noon.
8/30/08 Reading: Fundraising Dinner/Reading for the Poet Laureate Program, hosted by Sallie Bingham, Santa Fe.
7/9/08 “Metamorphosis: Bookmaking and Poetry,” A Workshop for Teens, Southside Library, Santa Fe.
6/21/08 Interview: UNOBSTRUCTED, OnWord, Talk Radio, with Alaina Alexander. 3:30 p.m.
6/16/08 Reading and Music: Poetry & Jazz, Counter Culture Café, 7:30 p.m. (with theSouthwest Jazz Orchestra).
5/14/08 Reading: Student Mentorship Celebration for Monte del Sol Charter School, College of Santa Fe
5/6/08 Reading and Group Writing Exercise, Monte del Sol Charter School (English Classes).
4/5/08 Poem-Palooza 2008 (a celebration of poetry in all its forms) Greer Garson Theater, 7 p.m.
4/2/08 Panel Moderator: “Sibling Rivalries: Spoken and Written Word Poetry and the Literary Tug of War,” College of Santa Fe.
3/10/08 Reading, Santa Fe City Counselors and Judges Swearing-In Ceremony, Lensic Theater. Inauguration of Santa Fe’s second poet laureate.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
My Farewell Reading
Dedicated to all Santa Feans! Please join me for a farewell reading as poet laureate, dedicated to everyone who loves Santa Fe. See below for the official press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2010
On March 17, 2010 during the lunch hour, Santa Fe Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez will read poems about Santa Fe--a reading dedicated to city residents. The reading will take place in the Santa Fe Arts Commission Gallery at the Community Convention Center. Downtown residents, City of Santa Fe employees, downtown merchants and staff, and all others are invited to an hour of poetry about the capital city.
This event, Martínez’s last as Poet Laureate, also celebrates the release of the her book, This is How it Began, printed and bound in a limited, letterpress edition by the Press at the Palace of the Governors. Copies of the book will be available for viewing and purchase at the reading.
Over the past two years, Martínez has appeared at over 45 public events—giving readings, workshops, short courses; writing with children, youth, families and elders; performing with musicians, dancers, actors, poets and others. In the introduction to This is How it Began, Valerie states: “This book is my gift to the many residents who have educated me, enlightened me, and deepened my love for Santa Fe.”
Martínez’s community outreach project--Lines & Circles: A Celebration of Santa Fe Families--involved working with three and four generations of eleven Santa Fe families whose mixed-media works of art and poems appear at the Arts Commission Gallery through Friday, March 19, 2010. Those attending the reading will have a chance to tour the exhibition. And a collection of Martínez’s Santa Fe poems will be published by Sunstone Press later this year.
From And They Called It Horizon by Valerie Martínez:
Today we say Santa Fe, our Santa Fé
in the sierra madre, in the cradle between
the Pecos Mountains, Cerro Piñon,
Tano Point, Caja del Rio, Tetilla Peak.
But there was a time, long ago,
before names, dream before dream.
Aho niishnee, principio, the beginning.
It was a seed, imagine it, smaller
than the eye’s dark pupil, smaller
than the tiniest yellow idea of seed,
and tinier. Inside, the dream
of something blue and unbelievably wide,
something rising to blue, algún encuentro
magnífico de marrón y azul.
And the seed there, buried.
Perhaps it was the eye behind the eye
of some great Being, or the eye
of a fantastic explosion, or the spot
on the tail-flick of a lizard
with red and black ridges on his back.
The seed nestled inside what became an orb,
an orb hurtling through indigo space,
then a spinning, whirling mass of blue
become this planet we call Mother Earth.
And it hung there, at the center,
weaving a garment of brightness.”
Valerie Martinez ©2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2010
On March 17, 2010 during the lunch hour, Santa Fe Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez will read poems about Santa Fe--a reading dedicated to city residents. The reading will take place in the Santa Fe Arts Commission Gallery at the Community Convention Center. Downtown residents, City of Santa Fe employees, downtown merchants and staff, and all others are invited to an hour of poetry about the capital city.
This event, Martínez’s last as Poet Laureate, also celebrates the release of the her book, This is How it Began, printed and bound in a limited, letterpress edition by the Press at the Palace of the Governors. Copies of the book will be available for viewing and purchase at the reading.
Over the past two years, Martínez has appeared at over 45 public events—giving readings, workshops, short courses; writing with children, youth, families and elders; performing with musicians, dancers, actors, poets and others. In the introduction to This is How it Began, Valerie states: “This book is my gift to the many residents who have educated me, enlightened me, and deepened my love for Santa Fe.”
Martínez’s community outreach project--Lines & Circles: A Celebration of Santa Fe Families--involved working with three and four generations of eleven Santa Fe families whose mixed-media works of art and poems appear at the Arts Commission Gallery through Friday, March 19, 2010. Those attending the reading will have a chance to tour the exhibition. And a collection of Martínez’s Santa Fe poems will be published by Sunstone Press later this year.
From And They Called It Horizon by Valerie Martínez:
Today we say Santa Fe, our Santa Fé
in the sierra madre, in the cradle between
the Pecos Mountains, Cerro Piñon,
Tano Point, Caja del Rio, Tetilla Peak.
But there was a time, long ago,
before names, dream before dream.
Aho niishnee, principio, the beginning.
It was a seed, imagine it, smaller
than the eye’s dark pupil, smaller
than the tiniest yellow idea of seed,
and tinier. Inside, the dream
of something blue and unbelievably wide,
something rising to blue, algún encuentro
magnífico de marrón y azul.
And the seed there, buried.
Perhaps it was the eye behind the eye
of some great Being, or the eye
of a fantastic explosion, or the spot
on the tail-flick of a lizard
with red and black ridges on his back.
The seed nestled inside what became an orb,
an orb hurtling through indigo space,
then a spinning, whirling mass of blue
become this planet we call Mother Earth.
And it hung there, at the center,
weaving a garment of brightness.”
Valerie Martinez ©2009
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
SALVE: Women on War and Warriorship
Littleglobe and the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) present Salve: Women on War and Warriorship on Saturday, March 6, 8 pm at the Albuquerque Journal Theater at the NHCC. Part of Women & Creativity Month 2010, SALVE is dedicated to New Mexico veterans and their families, veterans organizations and hospitals, and the many veterans outreach services that support returning war vets.
Salve is a spoken word and musical performance that explores the insights, perspectives, and reflections of women who are returned war veterans. The performance allows us to bear witness to the lives and sacrifices of warriors and their families, the realities of returning to life after military service, and the costs of war on everyone.
The spoken and sung text of the performance comes directly from interviews with women war vets and from poems/responses by Santa Fe Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez. Salve integrates composed and improvisational musical structures, poetry, personal stories, and songs composed by BING (led by Molly Sturges and Chris Jonas). BING draws from a wide palette of sounds including 1970s Ethiopian pop, Indonesian hybrids, American funk, Klezmer, Balkan jazz, indie-rock, 1960s American experimental, and jazz.
Excerpts from Salve: “I’m always checking my doors, locking my doors, worried about little things. When I’m getting ready to fall asleep, if I hear a sound outside, I’m up all night, waiting. There are so many things every day. Overpasses scare me--I want to swerve to the other lane.” “Little mistakes can get someone killed. That was instilled in us—life or death. I had a drill instructor who used to say, ‘Every mistake you make, well it’s not you who has to write the letter; it’s not you who gets the letter.’”
Women & Creativity Month is organized and presented by the National Hispanic Cultural Center in partnership with more than 40 organizations, artists, writers, and independently owned businesses with events in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. March 2010 is filled with over 50 exhibitions, performances, workshops, readings, and discussions focused on women and creativity. For a full list of events, visit the NHCC/Women & Creativity site at www.nhccnm.org.
Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 seniors and students, and available at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com and in person at the NHCC box office: 505-724-4771.
For more information, contact Chris Jonas, 505-670-4364, chris@littleglobe.org
Salve is a spoken word and musical performance that explores the insights, perspectives, and reflections of women who are returned war veterans. The performance allows us to bear witness to the lives and sacrifices of warriors and their families, the realities of returning to life after military service, and the costs of war on everyone.
The spoken and sung text of the performance comes directly from interviews with women war vets and from poems/responses by Santa Fe Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez. Salve integrates composed and improvisational musical structures, poetry, personal stories, and songs composed by BING (led by Molly Sturges and Chris Jonas). BING draws from a wide palette of sounds including 1970s Ethiopian pop, Indonesian hybrids, American funk, Klezmer, Balkan jazz, indie-rock, 1960s American experimental, and jazz.
Excerpts from Salve: “I’m always checking my doors, locking my doors, worried about little things. When I’m getting ready to fall asleep, if I hear a sound outside, I’m up all night, waiting. There are so many things every day. Overpasses scare me--I want to swerve to the other lane.” “Little mistakes can get someone killed. That was instilled in us—life or death. I had a drill instructor who used to say, ‘Every mistake you make, well it’s not you who has to write the letter; it’s not you who gets the letter.’”
Women & Creativity Month is organized and presented by the National Hispanic Cultural Center in partnership with more than 40 organizations, artists, writers, and independently owned businesses with events in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. March 2010 is filled with over 50 exhibitions, performances, workshops, readings, and discussions focused on women and creativity. For a full list of events, visit the NHCC/Women & Creativity site at www.nhccnm.org.
Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 seniors and students, and available at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com and in person at the NHCC box office: 505-724-4771.
For more information, contact Chris Jonas, 505-670-4364, chris@littleglobe.org
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thank You, Santa Fe
Thank you to the hundreds of Santa Feans and visitors who came to the Lines and Circles Opening Reception on Friday night and the presentations and feast on Saturday afternoon. It was a wonderful reunion of the Santa Fe community.
The photo at left is me with Eileen Torpey and Jason Jaacks, creators of the wonderful documentary film about the project, now showing with the exhibition.
The Line and Circles exhibit of poems and mixed-media works of art by eleven Santa Fe families will continue through March 19, 2010. Please visit the gallery at the corner of Marcy and Sheridan Streets in downtown Santa Fe.
If you would like to order a copy of the Lines and Circles book, please feel free to contact Sunstone Press at 1-800-243-5644, or go to Amazon online, or contact me at valmatz@comcast.net.
The photo at left is me with Eileen Torpey and Jason Jaacks, creators of the wonderful documentary film about the project, now showing with the exhibition.
The Line and Circles exhibit of poems and mixed-media works of art by eleven Santa Fe families will continue through March 19, 2010. Please visit the gallery at the corner of Marcy and Sheridan Streets in downtown Santa Fe.
If you would like to order a copy of the Lines and Circles book, please feel free to contact Sunstone Press at 1-800-243-5644, or go to Amazon online, or contact me at valmatz@comcast.net.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Your Invitation to January 15 & January 16, Lines & Circles
Please Join Us…
from Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez
and the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission
Lines & Circles: Mixed Media Works and Original Poems
by Eleven Santa Fe Families
Opening Reception
Friday, January 15, 2010
5:30-7:00 p.m.
SF Arts Commission Community Gallery
Convention Center, Santa Fe
The Families: Akers Covelli Hunt, Brown, Carmona, Goler Baca, Gottlieb Shapiro Bachman, Ingram, Martinez Ridgley, Ortiz Dinkel,
Quintana Gallegos, Salazar, and Strongheart
Saturday, January 16, 2-5 p.m.
Presentations by the Families
and Family Recipes Potluck
Exhibit Dates: January 16-March 19, 2010
from Poet Laureate Valerie Martínez
and the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission
Lines & Circles: Mixed Media Works and Original Poems
by Eleven Santa Fe Families
Opening Reception
Friday, January 15, 2010
5:30-7:00 p.m.
SF Arts Commission Community Gallery
Convention Center, Santa Fe
The Families: Akers Covelli Hunt, Brown, Carmona, Goler Baca, Gottlieb Shapiro Bachman, Ingram, Martinez Ridgley, Ortiz Dinkel,
Quintana Gallegos, Salazar, and Strongheart
Saturday, January 16, 2-5 p.m.
Presentations by the Families
and Family Recipes Potluck
Exhibit Dates: January 16-March 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Happy New Year!
Here's wishing you and all a most wonderful New Year's Eve goodbye to 2009 and a hopeful January 1st. Most of all, I hope my family is well and safe in 2010 and that those who have suffered most because of the economic downturn will find relief in the new year.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Lines & Circles Book Now Out
The book about the Lines & Circles families project is now out, and available from Amazon and Sunstone Press. Congratulations to the wonderful families who I've been privileged to work with for almost two years. Now, everyone can learn about them.
Here are links to the Amazon and Sunstone sites:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lines-Circles-Celebration-Santa-Families/dp/0865347468/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I4OAIY0CAEFND&colid=2YW82XKF05CT4
Sunstone Press:http://www.sunstonepress.com/cgi-bin/bookview.cgi?_recordnum=597
Here are links to the Amazon and Sunstone sites:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lines-Circles-Celebration-Santa-Families/dp/0865347468/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I4OAIY0CAEFND&colid=2YW82XKF05CT4
Sunstone Press:http://www.sunstonepress.com/cgi-bin/bookview.cgi?_recordnum=597
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