By Demelza Ramirez | Echo
Unless you're a "townie," you may not realize the little library tucked beside the Upland City Hall has an official name besides the block lettered "Library" above its doors.
Its official name is the Barton Rees Pogue Memorial Library, named in honor of the late Upland resident Barton Rees Pogue. In his own words, he was "Pogue the polisher of shoes, paperboy . . . preacher, professor, poet of the printed page . . . and publisher.The 4th Annual Barton Rees Pogue Poetry and Arts Festival begins Friday, April 11 and goes through Saturday, April 12. Wes Rediger, a resident of Upland, founded the festival in hopes of exposing the public to Pogue, but also in hopes of establishing the town's identity as a destination for travellers.
Pogue grew up in Greenfield, Ind., graduated from Taylor University in 1918 and left the state to continue his education in theology at Boston University. He moved to the Midwest to gain a master's degree at the University of Michigan, and finally returned to his home to write for The Indianapolis Times. Later, he signed on at Taylor to teach speech and drama, working 11 years at the university. He served as a member of the Upland town board for 16 years, and at his death in 1965 was serving as the town librarian.
Now his memory is honored through the annual festival. During those two days, there will be poetry lectures and workshops, readings and an art and poetry competition. George Kalamaras, Indiana Poet Laureate, opens the festival today with a poetry lecture and reading of his poems at the Gray Barn at 6 p.m on April 11. At 7 p.m., those in attendance are welcome to join Kalamaras in reading their favorite or original poetry. Refreshments will be provided.
Artists will display their work on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. in the Community Room at Avis Industrial Corporation, across the street from Taylor.
Dorrel Harrison, who presented at last year's festival, will again be exhibiting his art to the public. This year, in honor of Upland and the Grant County community, he is presenting 3-D barn plaques, old barn boards individually sculpted and painted into a small replica of a Grant County barn. At 1 p.m. students from Eastbrook High School's Art Club will show off their talent in the Upland Community Church on Berry Street.
While the artists are busy showing off their skills and hard work, the poets will also be kept busy. For adults, the fun begins at 9 a.m. in the Rupp building of Taylor University with a poetry competition, followed by dramatic and humorous readings. The morning will finish with a poetry workshop-put on by Donna Downs, associate professor of media communications.
In the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m., area students will read their poetry in the Youth Poetry Competition at Upland Community Church. First place winners of both age groups will read their poetry at the closing ceremony 4 p.m. at Upland Community Church.Thumbnail photograph courtesy of Barton Rees Pogue Memorial Library Facebook page.
