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Countering the Silence |
About Lonna D. Kingsbury
Lonna D.
Kingsbury describes herself as a poet born - never without her
singing words. Born in Chicago, surviving many variant childhood
experiences, she knows well the writing of the people. .In her first
chapbook, In Variant Motif, she addresses the triggering of memories
that never quite fully evolve regardless of age and/or successes. In
simply responding to a gleaming heads-up penny, she immediately
transports us to children digging fervently to find the treasure map
etched upon a gleaming bottle. Do these children become swept away
immediately to dreamy lands of new bicycles and incredible toys, no
first they address the reality of paying landlords back!
Or in The Dinner, she touches on the volatility found in most
under-served communities. In Dinner Too she displays the effect of
that childhood experience through the confusion of a well-dressed,
victimized spouse left sitting on a floor wondering what she did
wrong. Then in The Gathering she shares with her audience (with a
chuckle) after years and years of therapy her wonder in observing
her adult children at a social gathering and how they all seem so
normal. There is no curse, they are whole, and she is blessed.
In Stars, Rainbows, Dreams, (poetry for children) she addresses many
of the childhood quandaries that plague our children. She states: I
find it extremely fulfilling through the eyes of the tiny ones as
they cheer on Cinderella to outwit the evil stepmother or when
Dorothy conquers the Wicked Witch to finally realize that she has
held the power to go home all along. Or when I recite about the
Tiniest Star and the Tiniest Child making their own special
connection, I know that some child somewhere knows the overpowering
vastness of it all. And maybe after hearing my poem, they'll always
have their own personal star to warm and guide them when times grow
dark and cold.
Her works have appeared in and on Appalachian Review, Cincinatlas,
Clifton Magazine (University of Cincinnati), Collage, (Northern
Kentucky University, ICRC, Scrawl, Poetry Repair Shop, Red Crow, and
River Valley Journal among others. She currently holds the honor of
Fellow from the International Fiction and Poetry Society where she
served as poetry judge, critic, and monthly columnist. The Greater
Miami Glen Township Performing Center has bestowed upon her the
Honor of Poet Laureate. In her role of
poet/playwright/songwriter/actress, Lonna has appeared on radio,
television, and stage. The Dream Catcher, her first film, premiered
in 1999. As Co-Founder of the Meri Pranxsters theatrical group in
Milford, Ohio, she and the Pranxsters serve throughout the
community. Countering the Silence - Artists through Their Art, a
cable television show featuring other artists seemed the next
logical step.
Countering the Silence, the life-long quest of Lonna Kingsbury,
continually impacts the national and international community
connecting through the most obvious circumstances and the least
expected. Her impact upon the community as an artist and educator
crosses all boundaries. Everyone has a story. Everyone must connect
- either positively or negatively. Through connectivity we
communicate. Through communicating we understand. Through
understanding we connect. The art of positive connection - this is
her work.
Originator and founder of Countering the Silence, an all
volunteer-staffed cable access show airing twice weekly, she
promotes artists of all genres who reach out beyond their art to
perhaps change a bit of our world. Soon to celebrate it's third
year, the continuing contribution of cast and crew speaks well to
the dedication of everyone's belief in her message.
Authoring numerous articles, hands-on workshops, motivational
seminars, diversity training, conflict resolution, poetical
positives, and historical happenings, she travels near and far
sharing her connectivity. Poetically, she is currently at work on
her fifth volume of poetry. Several of her scripts have been
produced to date. She is honored to have served as both poetry judge
and columnist (Penned Inklings) for the International Fiction and
Poetry Society, where she was granted the distinction of Fellow.
The Greater Miami Township Performing Arts Center has bestowed upon
her the honor of Poet Laureate. Named dual nominee of the 1999
Post-Corbett Awards, for both Literary Achievement and Community
Outreach is among her greatest honors. In November 2002 she was
again honored as a Post-Corbett finalist in Literary Achievement.
The Clermont County League of Women's Voters named her for their
Orpha Gatch Citizenship Award for community service in the year
2000. But when asked her to note her greatest honor to date: Serving
as torch guardian for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, though sharing
the stage with Neal Armstrong November 2003 in Honor of the Mason
Veteran's Memorial will always touch her heart.
Ms. Kingsbury is available for workshops, lectures, and readings for
adults and children of all ages. She counts among her most
enlightening experiences her workshops at Grailville, Joseph-Beth
Booksellers, Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Loveland, Sands
Montessori, University of Cincinnati (Clermont), and Norwood High
School.
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