Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate and UW-Whitewater Professor Nicholas Gulig presents a lyrical reflection on his return to Wisconsin adjoined to the literary echoes of Fort Atkinson’s famed 20th century poet Lorine Niedecker (1903–1970). “Welcome Poets” is a PBS Wisconsin production that connects the shared and divergent landscapes, personal histories and poetry of both writers — exploring themes of place and displacement, nature and culture, alienation and belonging. Gulig retraces the terrain of his childhood and coming of age as a Thai-American growing up in Eau Claire, his education and career taking him out of state and abroad to Southeast Asia and ultimately back to Wisconsin — landing in Fort Atkinson, the same town where Lorine Niedecker lived her entire life, writing and publishing in relative obscurity until shortly before her death in 1970. Gulig’s story accompanies Niedecker’s biography and poetry in a lyrical, layered conversation, her words etched in the geographies where Gulig is reestablishing home.

The film screening will be followed by a discussion with former Wisconsin Poet Laureate, UW-Whitewater and film writer/narrator Professor Nicholas Gulig and Colin Crowley, productor, director and videographer. 

This event will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Summers Auditorium in the University Center at UW-Whitewater. It is free and open to the public. No registration required. 

More info: https://events.uww.edu/lectures/event/welcome-poets