Poetry in Public Places: Utah’s Poet Laureate, Ken Brewer, Opens 2005 General Session of the Legislature

Ken Brewer, Utah’s Poet Laureate, participated in the opening of the 2005 General Session of the legislature Monday afternoon, Jan. 17.

 

Annette Moore, the chief administrative officer for the Utah State Senate, made the invitation at the request Sen. Greg Bell (R-Davis County). Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard (R-Cache County) introduced Brewer in the opening session.

 

Brewer is the second Utah Poet Laureate in the history of Utah and is in his second year of a five year term.  

 

“It’s a privilege to be asked to participate by Sen. Bell and an honor to represent the arts and humanities in Utah,” Brewer said.

 

Brewer is an emeritus professor of English at Utah State University where he taught English and creative writing for 32 years. He has published 10 books of poetry and has given numerous readings and conducted writing workshops throughout the Western states. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Utah Arts Council.

 

“I am very pleased to have professor Brewer participate in the opening session and address the legislature,” said Hillyard. “Ken continues to make a significant contribution to the arts in Utah, while representing the people of our state, Cache Valley and Utah State University.”

 

Brewer opened his presentation with brief comments about Utah's arts and humanities, then read from four Utah writers, representing four areas of the state, who had books published in 2004: David Lee, Terry Tempest Williams, Nancy Takacs and Natasha Saje. He closed with three short poems of his own, one of which is dedicated to the late Utah writer Ellen Meloy.

 

For more information on Brewer or the department of English at Utah State, call (435) 797-3858.