BY MEGAN KLEIN-HEWETT
The acclaimed American author, Willa Cather, would have been 150 years old on December 7, 2023. On February 28, from 7-8 pm, join the Ames Writers Collective, the National Willa Cather Center, and Ames Public Library to honor Cather’s great life and works in the Library’s Auditorium, or on Zoom.
Some of Cather’s most popular works, like “My Antonia” and “O Pioneers!” were heavily influenced by her time spent in Red Cloud, Nebraska, now the home of the National Willa Cather Center. Ames Writers Collective Executive Director and founder, Ana McCracken, serves as a member of the Board of Governors for the National Willa Cather Center and brought the 150 Years of Willa Cather celebration to Ames.
“As a fan of Cather’s work, I have come to realize how relevant Cather’s writing is. Her characters, while set in the past, still speak to us about human triumphs and tribulations. Their struggles are universal, and through nation-wide Cather 150 Celebrations, the National Willa Cather Center hopes to reignite interest in Cather’s writing,” said McCracken.
In 2023, a statue of Cather was unveiled in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol to represent the state of Nebraska. The statue, by Nebraska Artist Littleton Alston, is only the twelfth woman to be included in the Statuary Hall Collection. A miniature replica of Cather’s bronze statue will be on display in the Ames Public Library lobby leading up to the Cather event.
McCracken will be one of two readers sharing Cather’s words at the event. She will be joined by Rachel Olsen, Director of Education and Engagement at the National Willa Cather Center. Olsen’s work focuses on creating opportunities to preserve Cather’s literary history and bring it to life for modern readers. McCracken and Olsen will read from a mix of Cather’s works, bringing a modern context to her words. The goal is to introduce new readers to Cather’s works, and reintroduce those who may have read Cather earlier in life.
Birthday cupcakes and coffee will be available, and attendees can enter into a drawing to win copies of Cather’s books and other giveaways. Information about the Ames Writers Collective and the National Willa Cather Center will be available.
Join us on February 28 at 7 pm for a joyful celebration of Willa Cather!
Dr. Ron McCurdy, is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.
Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.
