~ from Pellissippi State
The annual James Agee Conference, a daylong event that spotlights writers and other artists from East Tennessee and the region, will return to Pellissippi State Community College’s Strawberry Plains campus Feb. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Knoxville native, the James Agee Conference features an array of speakers and signings. The free event is open to the public, and sponsored by the Pellissippi State Libraries’ Appalachian Heritage Project, which curates programming and exhibits to support humanities education.
“As always, we’re excited to welcome the public to Pellissippi State’s Strawberry Plains campus so that they can have access to some of the most exciting writers in the region today,” said English Professor and James Agee Conference director Charles Dodd White. “This event is consistently exciting and productive for local writers who want a chance to hone their skills while meeting other like-minded people.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear presentations on creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry from Patrick Wensink, Mark Powell and James Cherry, respectively. Grace Buckner will give an Emerging Writer Reading.
Pellissippi will also celebrate the acquisition of over 70 first editions, photos, correspondence and other materials from acclaimed Appalachian writer and teacher Jesse Stuart with a panel discussion at the James Agee Conference.
The collection was donated by Strawberry Plains Campus Dean Mike North’s mother, Marty North, whose aunt, Naomi Deane, was married to Stuart from 1939 until his death in 1984.
“As a young child, I may not have realized how important my Uncle Jesse was, but I knew he was special,” Marty North said. “While putting the collection together and re-reading his work, I realized what a remarkable man he was and how lucky I was to spend time in his presence. I’m honored to help preserve his legacy and his Appalachian way of life. His work and correspondence have found a good home at Pellissippi’s Strawberry Plains campus.”
North said she is excited to participate in the panel, “Preserving a Legacy: The Jesse Stuart Collection” alongside Steve Dean, producer of WBIR’s Heartland Series, Lisa Misosky, owner of Southland Books, and Natalie Sweet, executive director of Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs at Lincoln Memorial University.
All presentations will be held in the Strawberry Plains Campus Library.
Find the schedule and register on the James Agee Conference event page.
