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The Redrock Writers Guild was formed at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in 1997. The meeting to form the guild was attended by LaVerna B. Johnson, Donna Mackert, Ace Pilkington, Guy Lebeda and Lyle Lapray. LaVerna B. Johnson was voted in as President. Initiation of the Guild began in September of 2006 by LaVerna B. Johnson, who enlisted the vision of Lyle Lapray, Director of Tuacahn, and the talents of Donna K. Mackert, a noted poet who was moving to the area. Donna's formal 9 week workshops of three hours once a week began February 10, 2007. A small fee was charged. The dedicated focus was on teaching and learning skills for writing poetry. The first series taught by Donna K. Mackert was entitled "Unveiling the Poet Within." This and subsequent workshops served to inspire many Southern Utah poets. February 1, 2007 Redrock Writers Guild sponsored a Poetry Reading/Seminar to honor Utah's first Poet Laureate, David Lee. This, his first official presentation, was accompanied by author Lyman Hafen, and two future Utah Poet Laureates: Dr. Ken Brewer, and Katherine Coles. An elegant reception in his honor followed. As with all subsequent seminars, several high school students were scholarshipped to participate in this event. This began the Guild's sponsorship of monthly Second Wednesday Readings and annual Redrock Writers' Seminars which continue with a wide variety of poets of both local and national stature. Monthly readings are free to the public. They are now conducted at the St. George Art Museum, Opera House and Social Hall, all located at 47 East 2000 North, St. George, Utah 84770. Seminars, for a minimal fee, are held in March of each year, at which time winners of the Chaparral Poetry Forum Contest are announced. Past Chairs: Donna K. Mackert, Rodney C. Dueck, LaVerna B. Johnson, D. Gary Christian. Present Chairs: Barbara Funke and Robynn Jones. In 2002-3 the Chaparral Poetry contest was initiated by President D. Gary Christian. It enjoys encouraging growth--our 2007-08 contest had 250 entries from all over the USA. A Student Division for high school students and grade school students of Washington County encourage young poets as well. Coordinator for the Poetry Contest & Editor of the Annual Chaparral Poetry Forum Chapbook is LaVerna B. Johnson. Our long term aim is to make this a premiere poetry contest in the U.S.A. Redrock Writers Guild depends on the voluntary efforts of Southern Utah writers who participate in our collective learning, write and read their poetry, and help organize and lead our regular activities. We deeply appreciate the contributions of members of USPS Dixie Chapter, president Candy Fowler; the Utah State Poetry Society, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, the Heritage Writers Guild and The League of Utah Writers. We also express appreciation to outstanding poets from across America who participate in blind judging our yearly contest. D. Gary Christian currently serves as President and inspiration of the Redrock Writers Guild. The St. George Arts Commission, The Utah Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts Washington D.C., and Seminar Participants have been our primary sources of financial support. Our mission is to promote the appreciation of poetry and prose in our community and to provide an environment for skill building and enjoyment of language arts by people of all ages. We envision the St. George area as a Mecca for writers and intend to do what we can to make that a living reality. A partial list of poets and authors who have presented at Redrock Writer Guild Events: David Lee, Lyman Hafen, Kenneth Brewer,
Katherine Coles, Theda Bassett, Pat Cutting, Elaine Ipson, Rosalyn Ostler,
Richard Shorten, Robert Owens, Ace Pilkington, Diane Nelson, Barry Toelken,
Evelyn Hughes, Marilyn Richardson, Ivy Ruckman, Lance Larsen, Donna
K. Mackert, Mikal Lofgren, Marilyn Darley Williams, Nancy Hanks Baird,
Kathy G. Clement, Jerree Crouch, LaVerna B. Johnson, Lawrence Coates,
Rita Bowles, Marilyn Carney, Danielle B. Dubrasky, Maurine Haltiner,
Jan Downes, Steve Downes, Sandra Skouson, LaVere Brinkerhoff, Jeannine
Brown, Kolette Montague, Joyce Nuttall, D. Gary Christian, Elaine Christensen,
Phyllis Barber, Barbara Hall, Gordon Allred, Marilyn Bushman Carlton,
Duane S. Crowther, Adele Wilson, Sue Ranglack, Lyman Dayton, Hartt Wixom,
Betty Vickers, Ric Estrada, Star Coulbrooke, Helen K. Beaman, Karen
K. Gibson, Mary K. Boyack,Geneal Jacobsen, Robert Paxton, Susan Chambers,
John Calvin Rezmerski, Lenore Madden, Mark Swan, N. Colwell Snell. |