Marc Harshman, the Poet Laureate of West Virginia since 2012, is a distinguished poet and children’s author. On Thursday, February 6, Harshman will present at Marietta College as part of the Esbenshade Series. This event will be held in the Alma McDonough Auditorium in McDonough Hall on Marietta College’s campus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the performance will start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are free and first-come, first-served the evening of the event.
His acclaimed children’s books include Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece and The Storm, which was recognized by the Smithsonian. His poetry collections, such as Woman in Red Anorak and Believe What You Can, have garnered prestigious awards like the Blue Lynx Prize and the Weatherford Award. His latest works include Dark Hills of Home and Following the Silence. In September 2023, Harshman was named the Appalachian Heritage Writer for 2024 by Shepherd University. He holds degrees from Bethany College, Yale, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Beyond reading brief selections from his earlier poetry collections, as well as more extensively from his newest volume, Following the Silence, Harshman will take time to reflect upon what it has meant to be the poet laureate of West Virginia for over a decade. Additionally, he’ll offer a few observations on the distinction of being both a children’s author and a poet. Time will be allowed for both formal and informal discussion following the reading. A portion of the evening will feature piano accompaniment by West Virginia Music Hall of Fame inductee Bob Thompson.