The event is free and open to the public, and wheelchair accessible.

Featured poet on HBO's "Def Poetry Jam," Smith found her voice at the heart of the Chicago slam scene that took off in the 1980s. Born and raised in Chicago in 1955 and widely known as a "persona" poet, Smith has said that she began to writing in others' voices to combat the isolation and loneliness of being the only child of over-protective parents. Her personae-including Medusa, Little Richard, Emmett Till, a Skinhead and victims of Hurricane Katrina-cross racial, historical and class boundaries and often confront adversity and hardship; they give voice to unspoken stories and hidden truths.

For more information, please consult the news release on the Smith College website or the Smith College Poetry Center website.

Link to past SC Libraries Poetry Center Readings resource pages.

The author of five books of poetry, most recently Blood Dazzler, a 2008 National Book Award Finalist, Smith's other honors include a National Poetry Series selection for Teahouse of the Almighty was a National Poetry Series selection and a Carl Sandburg Literary Award for Big Towns, Big Talk.

She has written and performed two one-woman plays, one of which was produced by Derek Walcott's Trinidad Theater Workshop, and is currently working on a verse memoir and a young adult novel.

A proud Cave Canem faculty member, Smith also teaches English at CUNY/College of Staten Island, and serves on the faculty of the Stonecoast Low- Residency MFA program at the University of Southern Maine.

Search by author to locate <Smith, Patricia> in the Five College Library Catalog.
 

Please note: Some links from this page are available to all without restriction. Others are restricted for off-campus access to Smith students, faculty, and staff. To connect, enter your Smith Network username and password when requested.

Biography

Biography in Context
Includes entry from Contemporary Authors Online 2010, and more. Also includes academic journal and magazine articles.

Online Texts

Expanded Academic Index
Search by keyword for <Patricia Smith> to find or link to poems, articles, and reviews.
Use  SC Links  to connect to full text.

Internet Resources

Contact

Neilson Library Reference Staff
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