Six nationally recognized authors will participate in an open panel discussion Sunday to honor Oregon native Barry Lopez during “The Literary and Artistic Responses to Terrorism” public forum.
The Oregon Humanities Center, in collaboration with Massachusetts literary group The Orion
Society, are sponsoring the event.
Lopez, the first Oregonian to receive the 12-year-old John Hay award, personally chose the topic of literary and artistic responses to terrorism.
Debra Gwartney, a friend of Lopez’s and a University instructor of creative writing, said Lopez chose the gathering’s theme because he wants to encourage broad, open discussion.
“He is very much concerned with the fate of the country,” Gwartney said. “He has an unusual, fresh, deep belief of what artists can do. The arts is a way for us to better understand our culture.”
Julia Heydon, associate director for the Oregon Humanities Center, said the discussion topic highlights the important role of arts and literature in culture.
“Creative arts have the potential to be a powerful constructive cultural force,” Heydon said.
The open discussion is part of a three-day event that will bring together literary and artistic figures from around the world. The John Hay Award event has always been a private event, but Lopez requested The Orion Society add an open public discussion.
Tom Gerald, University Bookstore events coordinator and an acquaintance of Lopez, said the author requested the open discussion because he strongly values public input and discussion.
“Barry felt that the only way we are going to get through this is through open communication and discussion,” Gerald said, referring to a conversation with Lopez following the events of Sept. 11.
Gerald, a self-proclaimed Lopez fan, said he has an amazing ability to involve the reader in his books. Gerald said his favorite Lopez book is “Winter Count.” Other titles include “Crossing Open Ground,” “About This Life” and “Arctic Dreams,” for which Lopez received the National Book Award. His most recent work is “Light Action in the Caribbean.”
“He carefully chooses his words, both in his work and in conversation,” Gerald said. “The way he writes allows the reader to truly internalize his work.”
Lopez is receiving The Orion Society’s John Hay Award, established in 1991 to acknowledge significant achievement in two of the three areas of which its namesake excelled. These areas include writing that addresses the relationship between people and nature, environmental education and conservation. Winners receive a medallion and a $3,000 prize. Previous recipients include W.S. Merwin, Jane Goodall and Wendell Barry.
The Orion Society is a cultural and literary organization based in Great Barrington, Mass. The society promotes place-based thinking and it has been the practice of the society to present the award to the recipients in his or her hometown during a weekend colloquium convened in their honor.
In addition to Lopez, attending authors include Terry Tempest Williams, Scott Sanders, William Kittredge, Ann Zwinger, Annick Smith and John Danie.
The University Environmental Studies Program is co-sponsoring the event. The public is invited to attend the open discussion and reading session 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in 180 PLC. Adjacent rooms will be available for additional seating if needed. Representatives from the bookstore will be selling selected works by Lopez and the other participating authors. For further information contact the Oregon Humanities Center at 346-3934.