COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The written and spoken word are two distinct art forms but when combined with visual arts – the trio becomes something magical.
Salmon Bend Art Studio hosted a special “Live Lit” program on Nov. 16 at the Brown Road gallery at the culmination of the studio’s 2024 Winter Show, which featured new artworks and handmade goods by Gabe Babcock, Roberta James, and LK James.
“I think this rivaled our first Live Lit,” said Colusa County Arts Council member Thomas Roach, who started the evening off by reading the poem he had written about the Sacramento River.
The Colusa County Arts Council created the Live Lit or “open mic” program in 2023 for people to read aloud or perform original or published works. The Arts Council previously held Live Lit events at their studio in downtown Colusa.
While Salmon Bend Art Studio hosted the fall event, the Colusa County Arts Council provided wine and refreshments. Arts Council members said they would like to see more Live Lit programs held at various locations throughout the county.
“It really is an amazing program and it’s a lot of fun,” Roach said.
James, a book illustrator; her husband, Poet Mark Leidner, both of Colusa; Creative Writer Sara McColl, of Woodland; and English teacher Theron Hopkins, at the Inspire School of Arts and Sciences, in Chico, were presenters.
Theron, whose mother was a Williams Unified School District superintendent, has known Roach for years and was excited when Roach and Leidner asked him to read his original work at Salmon Bend.
It was his first time performing at the event and the first time he visited the Salmon Bend studio in its present form.
“This is really a beautiful place,” Hopkins said.
The Colusa County Pioneer Review previously published Hopkins’ Thanksgiving-themed story in 2017. The story was part of a writing project Hopkins had started with his students.
James, who is part of the Salmon Bend collective, read an updated version of the poem she wrote in 2017 titled “Modern American Dreams.”
In addition to the artwork on display, Salmon Bend has 10 books and zines by James and other local and creative writers and artists available to purchase, including Christmas Poems, American Dreams, Twelve Jugs, Inbox Zeros, and Existential Jukebox.
The next Live Lit program is in the works although the date and location have not been set, Roach said.