National book award-winner, poet Arthur Sze to speak at Gradin Theatre

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A National Book award-winning poet is making a stop in the Star City.

The National Book Foundation (NBF) announced that poet Arthur Sze will be speaking at the Grandin Theatre as part of the National Book Foundation’s Science + Literature program.

On April 25, Sze will join Brian Teare, a University of Virginia professor, for a conversation titled, “Science + Literature: Poetry and Peril.” Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and visitors will have the chance to get a copy of “The Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems,” and enjoy light refreshments. The event will start at 7 p.m.

During the conversation, the pair will discuss the role of poetry in life, how poetry connects people to nature, and how to use literature to benefit the environment.

“We are thrilled that Roanoke was chosen for this prestigious event and are elated to have Arthur Sze with Brian Teare here at the historic Grandin Theatre,” said Grandin Theatre Executive Director, Ian Fortier. “We think that high-level author series events are a great fit for our diversified programming model and serve our community in a wonderful way. It is a great room for it.”

Sze has published 11 books of poetry including, “Sight Lines,” which took home the National Book Award for Poetry in 2019, one of the nation’s most prestigious literary prizes. He has also several other accolades including the recipient of the 2022 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, a 2021 Shelley Memorial Award, and the Jackson Poetry Prize.

Since 2017, the foundation and the Roanoke Public Libraries have teamed up for the NBF’s Book Rich Environments programs.

“This year’s partnership with the National Book Foundation will help strengthen our community’s understanding of the connection between literature and our environment, and it’s fitting that the event comes just a few days after Earth Day,” said Sheila S. Umberger, Director of the Roanoke Public Libraries.

Each year Science + Literature identified three books that strengthen the reader’s understanding of science and literature with a focus on work that highlights the diversity of voices in scientific writing.

Umberger said it is always an honor to host authors with a high caliber.

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