New Advisory Board Member:
Juan Felipe Herrera joins Advisory Board for Southwest Festival of the Written Word
The former Poet Laureate of the Unites States, Juan Felipe Herrera, has joined the Advisory Board for the Southwest Festival of the Written Word. Herrera, the U.S.'s first Chicano Poet Laureate, memorably performed at Light Hall, WNMU, in 2016 for the festival. On several occasions since then, he has expressed his kinship with our small community.
Herrera is the son of migrant farmworkers, and his childhood experiences are reflected in his work, which includes poetry, prose, Young Adult novels, theater pieces, and picture books for children. His focus on community and his commitment to issues of social justice make him a perfect fit for the festival.
Besides his laureateship, Herrera is a much-garlanded author. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the National Book Critics Circle Award, the PEN/Beyond the Margins Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Breadloaf Fellowship, and an honorary doctorate from Oregon State University.
He lives in Fresno, California.Story Booth at SWFWW, please join us and tell your story!:
We invite you to come and share your story of how borders have played a role in your life. SWFWW staff will be available to record your story at the Silver City Public Library, in a conference room on the north end of the library during the following hours: Friday, October 4, 2–4, Saturday, October 5, 10-4 and Sunday, October 6, 10-12.
Call for Volunteers:
If you are interested in volunteering for the 2019 Festival please email us: blueheron@sbcglobal.netChanges:
Because of Homecoming Weekend at WNMU, all events previously listed for Light Hall will be held at the Global Resource Center on the WNMU Campus. This includes the Friday night Keynote address and Saturday morning and evening Plenary and Keynote addresses.New Mexico Humanities Council Grant Received!!
We are pleased to announce that SWFWW received a New Mexico Humanities Council grant for $11,071 to help fund this year's festival. Thank you NMHC: we couldn't do it without you!