Jack B. Bedell is currently a Professor of English and Coordinator of Creative Writing at Southeastern Louisiana University where he also edits Louisiana Literature and directs the Louisiana Literature Press. His latest collection is Bone-Hollow, True: New & Selected Poems published by Texas Review Press (a member of the Texas A&M Press Consortium). His work has appeared in the Southern Review, Hudson Review, Southern Quarterly, and Terrain.org. He was recently appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve as Louisiana State Poet Laureate, 2017-2019. In addition, he has worked with the LEH’s award-winning PRIME TIME Family Literacy Program as a storyteller and continues to promote the writing of his fellow Louisianans.

Dr. Bedell’s presentation is open to the public and is free of charge. 
5:30 pm – Meet and Greet with the Louisiana Poet Laureate
6:00 pm – Poetry Reading and Q & A with the Poet
7:00 pm – Conversation with potential Caddo Parish Poet Laureate applicants
7:00 pm – Presentation/Q&A for other opportunities: CRITICAL MASS 6 and $1,000 ARTISTS’ TRAVEL GRANTS

The Arts are an essential part of life in Caddo Parish; poetry provides a unique form of expression, analysis, interpretation of life. The Parish of Caddo seeks to recognize and engage an outstanding Poet to be named the Poet Laureate for Caddo Parish. The process for selection of the Poet Laureate will be administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC). SRAC is a catalyst for participation, education, development, and promotion of excellence in the Arts and supports established arts organizations, nurtures emerging arts organizations, and assists individual artists. Individual artists are the lifeblood of the Arts.