By Clayton Karnavas
The Roaming Poets series is a lineup of inspired, local poets, storytellers, and spoken word artists who visit multiple participating Art Walk venues during Hillsborough’s monthly Last Fridays. As an intern at Hillsborough Arts Council, I had the opportunity to interview the host of the Roaming Poets series and the two featured artists during July’s Last Friday showings.
Jennifer Daniels, also known as Jen Jus Write, is a spoken word artist, speaker, certified educator, and host of the 2024 Last Fridays Roaming Poets Series. Daniels says that her experience with the Roaming Poets has led her to feel “more passionate” about “the journey we take through art, through poetry, and how that can change.” Daniels’ advice for anyone interested in starting to write poetry is to “just write and see where the pen takes you.”
Matthew G. Taylor, who goes by Matt G when performing, is a poet based out of Chapel Hill, who was featured as a Roaming Poets artist for the first time this July. Taylor describes his experience with the Poets as a “great change of pace” compared to traditional static venues, allowing him to share his art in spaces with many different “people, mindsets, and moods.” Taylor advises aspiring performers to “know there is always an ear to listen to the story you have to tell.”
Celeste Kathleen, who goes by CK, is a spoken word poet and writer. She recently published her book, The Floor of a Bathroom, a collection of poems centered around personal stories as a young woman navigating the reality of coming of age. Kathleen’s advice for aspiring creatives is to always follow through on ideas; she says, “If you think of something that could be a poem, just write it down. I think you’ll surprise yourself with what you end up with. Not all of it is gonna be great, but some of it might be.”
The Roaming Poets series serves as a dynamic platform for local poets to showcase their work, contributing to the lively arts scene in Hillsborough, NC. As Daniels puts it, “The Roaming Poets is a platform that anyone at any level in their artistry can be a part of. It’s something that is one of a kind.”
Learn more about the Roaming Poets here. Check out their next showings on August 30, 2024.
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