• Lorin Grean, Harpist

Poetry about nature was the focus of the Second Annual Poetry Reading in the garden of the Wildling Art Museum on Sunday, July 31, 3-5 p.m. Several poets read their original works about nature, including Paul Willis, Carol DeCanio, Laurie Clements Lambeth, and Barbra Minar.

Paul J. Willis is a professor of English at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. His poems have appeared in Poetry and Wilderness. His most recent chapbooks are Poison Oak (Mille Grazie Press, 1999), The Deep and Secret Color of Ice (Small Poetry Press, 2003), and How to Get There (Finishing Line Press, 2004).

Carol DeCanio is also from Santa Barbara. Her poetry has been published for over 30 years and last year was on exhibit, along with her nature photography, at the UCSB Faculty Club. She organizes poetry events in Santa Barbara, including the Four Poets, group readings which were held at Retirement and Convalescent homes, and the annual Santa Barbara Summer Poetry Workshop held in August. Ms DeCanio is also the co-organizer of the Santa Barbara Poetry Series held at the Contemporary Arts Forum.

Laurie Clements Lambeth is a part-time resident of Santa Ynez, who is completing her PhD in creative writing and literature at the University of Houston. Her poetry and nonfiction have been granted several awards, and her work has appeared or is forthcoming in such publications as The Paris Review, Mid-American Review, The Iowa Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, Nimrod International Journal, and The Bark.

Barbra Minar is an author of both fiction and non-fiction books who has resided in Santa Ynez for the past 30 years. Ms. Minar’s true love is poetry which mixes her Midwestern heritage and Southern upbringing rich in family love and secrets.

The poetry reading on July 31 was free and will be preceded at 3 p.m. by a short concert of harp music played by Lorin Grean of Santa Barbara. Grean creates music for Celtic harp and voice that blends world, folk, acoustic, and new age elements into a unique sound. The Santa Barbara Independent called Grean "a Celtic harpist with the voice of an angel and the musical heart of a gypsy--with an earthy, mystic vision and enough soulful musicality to carry it off."

There was a wine and cheese reception following the concert and poetry reading.