From the Office of the Dean...

July 1, 2009

Arts Institute goes 'green' with poetry and farming events

Farming and poetry were the subjects of a two-day “green” event sponsored by the University’s Arts Institute in June.

The Art of Farming featured an adult poetry workshop June 4 and a closing celebration June 7. Both events were held at the Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden. Riverbanks Zoo poet-in-residence Ed Madden, an associate professor of English at Carolina, lead the poetry workshop, guiding participants through a series of exercises that helped them contemplate the themes of planting, nurturing, and harvesting in the life of the farmer as well as in their own lives.

Participants composed original poems inspired by these themes. In addition to the poetry exercises, guest farmers Kristen and Ben DuBard from FiveLeaves Farm shared their personal stories and experiences to help participants understand life on a farm.

The closing celebration included a poetry reading, a photography exhibit celebrating local farms, and a discussion about the pleasures and rewards of sustainable farming and gardening in South Carolina. The University’s Green Quad, the Agriculture Commission, and several local grocery stores were also on hand with informative displays on sustainable farming. In addition to the Arts Institute, the event was also sponsored by the S.C. Poetry Initiative, USC English department, and USC art department.