EDGAR ALLAN POE: CENTRAL VIRGINIA’S GOTHIC SON

in collaboration with Amherst County Pubic Library, Museum and Schools

RAVEN WORKSHOP : Saturday, October 31, Halloween morning at 10:30 am AGAR andAmherst County Public Library, at the Library’s Amherst Branch, 382 South Main Street, Amherst, VA, will host a raven -puppet-making workshop for children and families. Amherst Middle School Drama Club will do a choral performance of “The Raven” for those attendin g. F ree of charge and materials will be provided.

ART EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION: at the Amherst Museum: Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm AGAR and ACM will host an opening Reception and lecture presentations on two Visual Arts Exhibits at the main Amherst County Museum, 154 D. Main Street, Amherst. One exhibit will include prints scanned from original pen -and-ink illustrations by James Carling in 1882 for “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, that are part of a 43-piece collection on rotating display at the Poe Museum in Richmond. Chris Semtner, curator, will speak about James Carling and how Poe’s work influenced the artist. The second exhibit will consist of the original art works created by members of the Amherst Art Society based on their visit to the Poe Mu seum and other Richmond Poe sites. Artists from the Society will discuss their own research and art pieces in the exhibit, and their relevance to Poe and his work.

POET LAUREATE OF VIRGINIA: Thursday Nov. 5, 7 pm “Poe and Poetry in Virginia ”Ron Smith, Poet Laureate of Virginia will speak on “Poe and Poetry in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” at the Amherst Library Madison Heights, 200 River James Shopping Center, Madison Heights VA. Students from the Amherst Middle School will also perform a choral readi ng of “The Raven.” Marcia Robertson, PhD. of Sweet Briar College will introduce Mr. Smith.

These programs are presented by AGAR with support from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Amherst Education Foundation, Amherst County Pub lic Library and Frien ds of the Amherst County Public Library and Elkwood Salon.