Here are some photos taken during my readings, lectures, and workshops promoting Illinois poetry throughout the state. Let me express my gratitude to those fine folks who helped to organize these events and to the students and community members who attended. It has been a pleasure to meet and work with each of you. To enlarge an image below, just click on it. It will open in a new window.

Bradley University

During Billy Collins’s March 2004 residency, Collins poses with members of the Bradley University’s Creative Writing program. Pictured from left to right are Professor Thomas Palakeel, myself, Mr. Collins, Professor Lee Newton, and Professor Demetrice Worley.

Billy Collins, former US Poet Laureate (2001-2003) and current New York State Poet Laureate, and I pause during a class session at Bradley University. Mr. Collins visited Bradley classes and presented a public reading to an audience of over 400 during his residency March 30-31, 2004.

University of Illinois - Springfield

After my workshop, reading, and book signing at University of Illinois – Springfield on April 27, 2004, I am flanked (from left to right) by Brad Swanson (WUIS, General Manager), Lisa Clemmons Stott (WUIS, Director of Development), and Karl Scroggin (WUIS, Music Director).

Here I am pictured with poet and Professor Marcellus Leonard (Associate Professor of English at University of Illinois – Springfield) during my April 27th residency.

Illinois poet John Knoepfle joins Marcellus Leonard and me at U.I.S. on April 27, 2004.

Professor Marcellus Leonard and I pose with students from the Master’s Class Workshop I led at the University of Illinois – Springfield on April 27, 2004.

Ridgewood High School, Harwood Heights, IL

These photos were taken during my poetry reading and conversation with students at Ridgewood High School in Harwood Heights, IL, on March 5, 2004. On a rainy, blustery March day, I met with 125 bright and animated students in the school library. In fact, during my reading, workmen noisily labored to seal a leaky roof. In the top center of the second photo here, one can see a curious contraption set up to catch leaking rain water.

Chicago's Norwood Park Home

This photo was taken after my workshop and reading at Chicago’s Norwood Park Home on June 1, 2004. I am joined by (from left to right) poet and former Norwood Park Home resident Grace Cleys, who read several of her poems at the afternoon session, Serena Worthington, Norwood Park Activities Director, and Helen Swiontek, a Norwood Park resident who recited from memory Robert Service’s “The Face on the Bar Room Floor” during the well-attended afternoon event.

Associated Writing Program's Annual Conference

This year the Associated Writing Program’s annual conference was held at Chicago’s Palmer House. As part of the yearly gathering of poets and fiction writers from across the nation, I was honored to read with four gifted Illinois poets. Our “Illinois Voices” poetry reading included (from left to right) Southern Illinois University’s Rodney Jones, TriQuarterly editor Susan Hahn, myself, Bradley University’s Demetrice Worley, and Laurence Lieberman of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Peoria Poetry Club

Peoria Poetry Club, founded in 1941.

Chatting with Pat "Ellen" Dickerson, 94 year-old poet and author of Memories Are Forever at the Peoria Poetry Club.

Watseka Public Library, November 9, 2004

Watseka Public Library poetry contest winners met with Illinois Poet Laureate Kevin Stein at last night's event. Pictured are Kim Sheets, Stein, Maureen Shannon, both of Watseka and Gertrude Teske of Crescent City. Photo taken by Carla Waters of Iroquois County's Times Republic.

Kevin Stein signs a book for Mary Lou Christy as the two chat about writing. Photo taken by Carla Waters of Iroquois County's Times Republic.

Kevin Stein talks about poetry and being Illinois' Poet Laureate at Watseka Public Library. Photo taken by Carla Waters of Iroquois County's Times Republic.

As part of his Poetry Now project, Illinois Poet Laureate Kevin Stein presents library director Diann Peabody with a $150 check to be used to purchase contemporary poetry books for the Watseka Public Library.

Michael Price of Watseka chatted with Kevin Stein after Stein's presentation. Photo taken by Carla Waters of Iroquois County's Times Republic.