Maureen Morehead as Poet Laureate

Kentucky Arts Council News Release Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet April 1, 2011 Contact: Ed Lawrence, Communications Director at ed.lawrence@ky.gov 502-564-3757, ext. 473 Kentucky Arts Council inducts Maureen Morehead as Poet Laureate at Kentucky Writers’ Day

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Arts Council will celebrate Kentucky Writers’ Day at 11 a.m. EDT, April 25, 2011, in the Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort. Poet, writer and teacher Maureen Morehead of Louisville will be formally inducted as Kentucky Poet Laureate for the two-year term of 2011 – 2012. Morehead was appointed to the honorary post by Gov. Steve Beshear to promote the literary arts in Kentucky through readings and public presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences and events, including Kentucky Writers’ Day. Morehead will be joined by former Kentucky Poets Laureate Gurney Norman, Jane Gentry, Sena Jeter Naslund, Joe Survant and Richard Taylor in presenting readings of their work. Kentucky state Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest first-place winner Torie DiMartile of Beechwood High School in Ft. Mitchell and second-place winner Tyler Poteet of Butler Traditional High School in Louisville will recite selected poems. Lindy Casebier, deputy secretary, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, will present DiMartile and Poteet the official awards for their accomplishments. A special reception to honor all Kentucky writers will follow at noon on the mezzanine level of the Capitol. This is an opportunity to congratulate Morehead, talk with Kentucky’s poets laureate and mingle with other readers and writers. This event is free and open to the public. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Maureen Morehead Kentucky Poet Laureate 2011-2012