Poetry Reading by Jeri Theriault

A Maine poet and visual artist will give a poetry reading and lead a two-day workshop on the final weekend of June at Eastport Arts Center. Jeri Theriault will share her poetry at 7 pm, Friday, June 28, at Eastport Arts Center. The reading is free of charge and includes stories of how the poems originated. Theriault’s husband, Philip Carlsen, a composer and cellist, will perform as part of the evening

A resident of South Portland, Theriault has published five books of poetry, including Self-Portrait as Homestead, released in 2023. A lifelong poet, she added visual art to her repertoire 15 years ago, creating collages. Theriault will illustrate the connection between the two in her series of presentations.

“My last book came out last summer and its sort of a piecing together of memories and the idea for the workshops came from that,” she explained. “The idea is to encourage people to remember things visually by drawing and collaging and then to have people write.”

Theriault will lead participants in her version of memory-making in a two-part workshop on Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, June 30, 1-4 pm. The session is designed for students ages 16 and up;  all materials are included. The workshop fee is $40. A sliding fee scale (pay what you can) is available by request. Space is limited and registration is required, via the workshop event page or by email to workshops@eastportartscenter.org.

These events have been supported by the Maine Arts Commission. Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible.