Area college students unite for poetry By Molly Moonen Staff Writer Patricia Dieball/Chronicle Lisa Boumstein-Smalley, from the School of the Art Institute, reads from a collection of objects that she displayed as specimen.         In celebration of National Poetry Month, Jennifer Grutzmacher represented Columbia at the second annual Citywide Undergraduate Poetry Festival on April 12. The festival was held in Columbia’s music hall and included students from 11 Chicago-area schools including the School of the Art Institute and the University of Chicago. Over 100 people turned out to see what Chicago’s writing community had to offer.         It’s a good way to showcase young writers, especially in Chicago,” said Ron Diaz a student at National Louis University. National Louis is a new addition to the festival this year and Diaz was proud to represent his school. Like several of the other participants, Diaz is not a fiction writing or english major, but studies elementary education. Poetry is his hobby. Diaz read several moving poems including one about his grandfather. “Self-expression is wonderful with writing,” he said.         Tony Trigilio, a full-time teacher in the Columbia’s English department, is the driving force behind the festival. Trigilio wanted to create a venue for local poets to get out of the isolation of writing and share their work with the community. He organized the event for the first time last year with the help of Columbia’s Poetry Major Committee. “When you are writing, you spend so much time alone in your own college with your own professors,” he said. “The festival offers the opportunity for poets to read in front of an audience and hear the work of other undergraduates around the city.”         Participants were nominated by their school’s faculty members. Several schools required students to submit work samples, while others hand-chose the students based on past performance. For students such as Heather Lomason from DePaul, this was the first time reading in front of an audience. Lomanson said that the festival was a good opportunity to see what her peers are writing. “It’s a good way to help your own writing,” she said.         Poems ranged from two-line quips by Roosevelt University student Alejandra Valera de Barrett, to more-involved poems about the Holocaust by University of Chicago student, Marc Maisto. University of Illinois-Chicago student Sean Starr repeatedly played Jimmy Stewart’s final speech in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” during his political rant, and Northwestern’s Jessica Martell read a letter to Mary Shelley as Shelley’s sister.         Grutzmacher, a senior at Columbia, was chosen by the Poetry Major Committee to represent Columbia. She has worked closely with Committee Coordinator Paul Hoover, and jumped at the chance to participate. Grutzmacher enjoyed seeing the different styles that have come out of the different schools.         Trigilio agreed. “Like last year, we had a great turnout this year,” he said.         “It was great to see 10 or 11 different styles from 10 or 11 different schools. All the poets were really great.” The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Campus News: Tuition increase set for next fall Columbia teacher, students produce provcative film Area college students unite for poetry Cuban officials visit Columbia More colleges requiring assesment for graduates CCABJ hosts media mixer Students create global campaign News and Notes Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site