Kentucky's newest ambassador of the literary arts is gearing up to work with young people across the Commonwealth.
Kathleen Driskell was named Kentucky poet laureate and took over the role in April.
The Oldham County native is a professor of creative writing at Spalding University in Louisville. She has published six poetry collections and has been featured in works like the New Yorker and Southern Review.
In an interview with WEKU's Eastern Standard, Driskell said Kentucky has a rich history of writers, but there is something special about right now.
“There's something that's really going on right now in terms of hearing more voices, different kinds of voices from different parts of the state. What I love about Kentucky, too, is that its landscapes are so different, which really colors from the prairies of western Kentucky to the hollers of eastern Kentucky.”
Driskell said she wants to use her two-year tenure to get into Kentucky high schools. She said she wants to work with writing teachers so they can better reach their students.
“I'd like to Zoom with high school creative writing classes or writing classes. I'd also like to read with writing teachers. I think it is important for students, especially high school students, to see their teachers as actual writers. So, if anyone out there would like me to do that, I'd be happy to talk about that and schedule as many visits as I can.”
Driskell is also working with youth poet laureates on various programs throughout the region. She will serve in the role of poet laureate for two years.
Hear more with new Kentucky poet laureate Kathleen Driskell later this week on Eastern Standard, on WEKU.
