The poetry world is blooming in Santa Barbara. Local artists recently gathered to celebrate the release of Rare Feathers, Poems on Birds and Art (Gunpowder Press 2015).
The book is a collection of poems inspired by “Flock,” the large art installation (2015) at Ganna Walska Lotusland, the Montecito estate and former home of the late opera singer who indulged in her passion for exotic plants.
Artist Nancy Gifford curated Flock at Lotusland, and served as an editor on the Rare Feathers book. Nancy and her husband, Michael, hosted the party and poetry reading at their home in Montecito.
In this podcast, you’ll hear my interview with Gunpowder Press publishers Chryss Yost and David Starkey, both artists who are also emeritus Santa Barbara Poet Laureates. You’ll also be treated to some of the poems from Rare Feathers, read by the poets who wrote them.
Poets featured on this podcast include Mary Brown, Susan Chiavelli, Gabriella Klein, Perie Longo, Enid Osborn, Melinda Palacio, Christine Penko, Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, Emma Trelles and George Yatchisin.
Related: Homes & Art + Homes as Art, my podcast with artist Nancy Gifford