I'd like to take a moment to highlight a talented artist that has become a friend of mine through DeviantArt.

Paula Rosa (dA handle `dreamspeak) is a digital artist from Portugal who does wonderfully creative work. Not only are her compositions visually captivating, they are often - in their own surreal way -the catalyst for serious thought. A wonderfully deep and compassionate artist.

Just two of the many still works I would recommend --

[link]

and

[link]

Paula recently produced a video that accompanied a scientific exhibit in France. (I think I'm getting this right.) Anyway, she was able to downsize the work and present it through her DeviantArt site. I thought it might be a treat for my watchers.

[link]

While some of us are just amateur artists, Paula has committed herself to the craft and I applaud her for that and wish her much future success.



Mark Pearce

P.S. From her pageview count it is likely that many of you already know Paula, but for those who don't, I hope that you take the time to browse through her gallery.



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Poetry Enthusiasts –

The date for the next Montserrat Poetry Festival is Sunday afternoon, May 23rd, 2010. (It is the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend.) Mark the date on your calendar.

This year’s event featured sixteen poets – from Missouri, Massachusetts, South Dakota, Iowa and London, England. I hope that we have a similar, interesting mix of local and not-local for next year’s event.

And next year’s presenters?

To be determined.

In late October or early November I plan on asking for submissions for those who would like to read at next year's Festival. The deadline for submissions will be Saturday, January 30, 2010.

If you are interested in presenting works at next year’s Festival, note me with your name and email address so that I can place you on the submission notification list. As in past years I will be encouraging all submitters to send in works that are: 1) audibly accessible 2) appropriate for a general audience and that 3) represent a variety of tenor, style and/or theme. One of my main objectives in building the overall program is to present a WIDE variety of work. (Keep 'em guessing.)

The Montserrat Poetry Festival will be held at Montserrat Vineyards, Montserrat, Missouri – an approximate one hour drive east of Kansas City.

[link]

See you at The Festival!



Mark Pearce



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The past two weeks have been busy ones for me, but most rewarding ones.

On May 3rd many, many people contributed their time, talents, resources, skills and artistry in the production of the Montserrat Poetry Festival. The event was held at Montserrat Vineyards in Montserrat, Missouri USA. About 175 people turned out to enjoy the production. (Editors note: We would have had more if it hadn’t been the first good lawn-mowing day in weeks.)

A number of DeviantArtist writers were there as presenters: British poet Alec Bell [link] South Dakota photographer and writer John Hardesty [link] newly initiated dA writer Linda O’Connell [link] and Iowa poet/banker/actor H. Michael Moore [link] . (dA photographer/ writer "*whoapony" [link] joined with us as well.)

I was especially pleased with a variety of poetic works presented at this year’s Festival. We had cowboy poets, reminiscing poets, message poets, rhythmic poets, high brow, low brow, all around the square poets and all capped off by an appearance of Missouri’s Poet Laureate Walter Bargen. I will be posting pictures of the presenters in the days ahead.

I have made many good friends through the process of organizing the Montserrat Poetry Festival. Over the coming weeks I hope to be able to select and announce the date for next year’s event.

I hope you’ll be joining us.


Mark Pearce



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The 2009 Montserrat Poetry Festival has come and gone.

I don't have my photographs in hand, so I refer you to the journal submitted by dA friend (and Festival participant) John Hardesty. (Thanks John.)

[link]

More observations on the Festival from one of the readers -K. Michael Moore

[link]


I'll have more to say and share this weekend.

Thanks!



Mark Pearce



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The Montserrat Poetry Festival takes place later today. (Montserrat Vineyards, Montserrat, Missouri USA.)

I couldn't ask for better weather, better friends, and better support.

Our out-of-state presenters have arrived and they are all wonderful people.

Word is out about the Festival.

It's gonna be big.


The presentation line-up is –

2:00 pm Deborah Mann / Sedalia

2:20 pm Doug Kiburz / Sedalia

2:40 pm Alex Wales / Warrensburg

3:00 pm Mary Kim Schreck / Osage Beach

3:20 pm Mark Pearce / Warrensburg

3:40 pm K Michael Moore / Coralville, Iowa

4:00 pm Christina Pacosz / Kansas City

4:30 pm Neal Torrey / Bolivar

5:00 pm Alec Bell / London, England

5:30 pm Deb Noland / Sedalia

6:00 pm Walter Bargen / Ashland

6:30 pm Hubert Neth / Lee’s Summit

7:00 pm Linda O’Connell / Wellesley, Massachusetts

7:20 pm John Hardesty / Rapid City, South Dakota

7:40 pm Mable Fowler / Sedalia

8:00 pm Russell Christenson / Clinton



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