麻豆官网首页入口免费

MSUB Library and the Writer's Voice present The NEA/Big Read Program

Billings to read and celebrate 鈥淪tation Eleven鈥� during event featuring lectures, films, and discussions

Darlene Hert, MSU Billings Library, 657-1655
University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES 鈥� In partnership with the 麻豆官网首页入口免费 Library, The Writer鈥檚 Voice will introduce Montanans to the writing of Emily St. John Mandel through a dynamic collaboration among the university faculty and students, Billings Public Library, area high schools, and Billings community.

The program is also supported by . The Writer鈥檚 Voice is once again hosting the in Billings this spring. A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.

The NEA Big Read in Billings will focus on Mandel鈥檚 book, Station Eleven. The critically acclaimed novel won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, was a finalist for the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award, and was named one of the best books of the year by more than a dozen publications.

鈥淭he MSU Billings Library is excited to partner with the Writer鈥檚 Voice on this Big Read grant. We have partnered on many successful Big Read grants together; however, this one is particularly exciting because the choice of Emily St. John Mandel鈥檚 dystopian novel, Station Eleven, appeals to a broad range of audiences, including younger readers,鈥� shared Darlene Hert, MSU Billings library director. 鈥淲e have planned a wide array of programming and activities that will engage and encourage thoughtful discussions and excite people about the power of story.鈥�

Events begin January 17, with the opening of an art exhibition, This Vibrant, Tarnished World, by Jennifer Eli French in the Northcutt Steele Gallery at MSU Billings. The exhibit is inspired by the futuristic novel, Station Eleven.

The public is invited to pick up a free copy of the book at the MSUB Library and sign up for a discussion group. Sixteen book discussions are scheduled at various times, dates and venues; information is available here. Discussion groups begin January 29. Books will also be available at the Billings Public Library, This House of Books, and the art exhibition.

 A national initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Writer's Voice was founded in 1991 to provide access to the arts in non-traditional communities and opportunities for active engagement between writers and audiences. For more information about The Writer鈥檚 Voice contact Corby Skinner at 294-2390 or Corby@skinnerbenoit.com.

Schedule of Events

All events will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:30pm in L.A. 205, Montana State University Billings, except where noted.

 Jan. 17
Art Exhibition: This Vibrant, Tarnished World, Northcutt Steele Gallery

Jan. 22
Artist's Talk: Jennifer Eli French, Sherri Cornett

Jan 24
Film: Fahrenheit 451

Jan. 29
Panel Discussion: The Things We Keep

Jan. 31
Film: Soylent Green

Feb. 5
Panel Discussion: The Traveling Symphony

Feb. 7
Film: Brazil

Feb. 12
Lecture: Holding Out for Hope: The Functions of Dystopic Storytelling, Gavin J. Woltjer

Feb. 19
Panel Discussion: Women in Dystopian Literature

Feb. 21
Film: Children of Men