Lightning Strikes: A benefit for Saint Mary’s Rising Writers

Lightning Strikes II is art catalogue, art opening, poetry reading and fundraiser that features 22 pairings of poets and visual artists. The 44 contributors are distinguished by their exceptional talent and often world-renowned reputations. This diverse group includes visual artists, writers, actors, curators, musicians, editors, a Buddhist priest, and the Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. They have received impressive recognitions for their creative efforts, including a Pulitzer Prize, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, Grammy awards, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, roles as U.S., New York State, and San Francisco Poet Laureates, membership to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Pushcart Prizes, National Book Awards, a Pew Fellowship, and a National Humanities Medal given by Barack Obama.

This event is open to ticket-holders only.

We greatly appreciate your contribution. 100% of the ticket proceeds goes to support the MFA in Creative Writing program scholarship fund at Saint Mary’s College, founded by poets Brenda Hillman and Robert Hass.

Please note: Due to high demand and limited space, many ticket-holders will need to stand during the reading. Thank you in advance for your patience, and for your enthusiasm for this exciting event.  Lightning Strikes II is accompanied by a hard cover 68 page, limited-edition fully illustrated catalogue of the same name. Each ticket-holder will receive a copy.

Lightning Strikes II features 22 pairings of poets and visual artists. The 44 contributors are distinguished by their exceptional talent and often world-renowned reputations. This diverse group includes visual artists, writers, actors, curators, musicians, editors, a Buddhist priest, and the Chief Attorney of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. They have received impressive recognitions for their creative efforts, including a Pulitzer Prize, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Golden Globe, Grammy awards, Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, roles as U.S., New York State, and San Francisco Poet Laureates, membership to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Pushcart Prizes, National Book Awards, a Pew Fellowship, and a National Humanities Medal given by Barack Obama.

Poet and artist pairings:

Naomi Shihab Nye and John DiPaolo

Devorah Major and Mayme Kratz

Billy Collins and Gary Ruddell

Peter Coyote and Kai Samuels-Davis

Jane Hirshfield and Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann

Charlie Pendergast and Alex Kanevsky

Brenda Hillman and Vanessa Marsh

Tess Taylor and Ann Gale

Ada Limón and David Kelso

Tamsin Smith and Danae Mattes

Renny Pritikin and Maria Porges

Kathleen Brennan and Lisa Russell

Erik Campbell and Éric Antoine

David Whyte and Louise LeBourgeois

Dean Rader and Robert Kingston

Robert Hass and Edwige Fouvry

Louise Glück and Lisa McCutheon

Matt Gonzalez and Ian Kimmerly

Tom Waits and Lou Ros

Sara Mumolo and Travis Collinson

Matthew Zapruder and Elizabeth Fox

Jack Hirschman and Matt Gonzalez

Dolby Chadwick Gallery has been an ardent supporter of young and emerging creative talent since its founding more than twenty-three years ago. Since the galleries inception the promotion of the literary arts has been a meaningful complement to that of the visual arts. Lightning Strikes II continues in the spirit of this tradition, championing burgeoning creative talent and fostering community relations through its support of the literary scholarship program at Saint Mary’s College.