University Communications and Marketing
English professor reads from new book of poetry at Yellowstone Art Museum next week
December 3, 2010
Contacts:
Corby Skinner, YMCA Writer’s Voice, 294-2390
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Dr. Bernard Quetchenbach, a writer and associate professor of English at MSU Billings, will read from his new book, “The Hermit’s Place,” through the YMCA Writer’s Voice program on Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Yellowstone Art Museum. The event is free and open to the public.
“The Hermit’s Place” is the second collection by Quetchenbach and features a fully reclusive hermit. The poems feature the voice of a man who has progressed towards merging with his native woods — his well a hollow rock, his memories “leaves turning in rainwater.”
Accompanied by 11 charcoal images by noted regional illustrator Christopher Engstrom, this collection of 63 poems presents an unforgettable portrait of an American type who indeed represents in human form the majesty and isolation of our American birthright and inheritance, the natural world. He has been working on the poems of the “hermit” series for over twenty years.
Quetchenbach’s book “Everything As It Happens,” also a collection of poetry, was published in 2007. His essay, “Canadas,” was listed as a Notable Essay of 2005 in Best American Essays 2006. He is also the author of “Back from the Far Field: American Nature Poetry” in the Late Twentieth Century, published in 2000.
For more information on the reading, contact Corby Skinner with the YMCA Writer’s Voice at 294-2390 or corby@skinnerbenoit.com