Lifestyles
Karla K. Morton named by Texas State Legislature as 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate
By
May 31, 2009
Denton, TX - May 29, 2009 - Dallas/Fort Worth-area poet and author Karla K. Morton (http://www.kkmorton.com/) has been selected as the 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate. Morton, along with seven other newly-appointed 2009-2010 Texas State Artists, including Willie Nelson, was honored in a ceremony at the Texas Capitol yesterday. She is the first woman named as Texas State Poet Laureate in more than fifteen years.
"This is a dream come true, and I am deeply honored," said Morton. "I started writing poetry when I was in the fifth grade, and when I learned about the Texas Poet Laureate, I decided that I would like to be one someday. It was kind of a pipedream back then, and now it has become a reality!"
Morton, described as a "celebrated poet" in the bill presented to the Texas State Legislature, has been widely published in literary journals and serves as a board member of the Greater Denton Arts Council and a founding member and officer of the Denton Poets' Assembly (part of the Poetry Society of Texas). She loves to promote poetry, and has read her work across Texas, performing at such venues as schools, universities, bookstores and festivals. Morton is also author of the book/CD titled Wee Cowrin' Timorous Beastie, a North Texas Book Festival Awards Finalist, and has a book of poetry that will be released by the Texas Christian University Press in 2010. She has a journalism degree from Texas A&M University and is currently featured on a nationally-aired episode of The Art of Living Gallery for her promotion of poetry as a healing tool for the soul.
As Texas Poet Laureate, Morton plans to expand her work as an ambassador of poetry. She will create a "Little Town, Texas Tour," visiting high schools around the state, to bring poetry and other art forms directly to teens in towns that may be underserved.
"There's such a small window for poetry in the classroom," said Morton. "My goal for the tour is to make poetry more accessible and relevant to students. I want to get them thinking about poetry, reading it and writing it. I also want to demonstrate that even through adversity, their goals and dreams (whatever they may be) can be achieved."
Morton will also stop at oncology/cancer centers across the state to share from Redefining Beauty, a poetry collection she wrote during her own diagnosis, treatment and survival of breast cancer in 2008. Morton, who is now cancer-free, learned of her appointment as a state poet laureate on the one-year anniversary of her breast cancer diagnosis.
The 2009-2010 Texas State Artist appointees include: 2009 Texas State Poet Laureate Paul Ruffin of Huntsville, Texas; 2009 State Musician Willie Nelson of Austin, Texas; 2009 State Two-Dimensional Artist Rene Alvarado of San Angelo, Texas; 2009 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist Eliseo Garcia of Dallas, Texas; 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate Karla K. Morton of Denton, Texas; 2010 State Musician Sara Hickman of Austin, Texas; 2010 State Two-Dimensional Artist Marc Burckhardt of Austin, Texas; and 2010 Texas State Three-Dimensional Artist John Bennett of Fredericksburg, Texas.
The Texas State Artists program began in 1932 with the designation of the first Texas State Poet Laureate. Nominees must be native Texans or have resided in the state for at least five years. They must have attained the highest levels of excellence and success in their respective disciplines and have received critical reviews in state, regional or national publications.
To learn about more about Karla K. Morton, her work and upcoming events where she will perform, speak and/or sign books, please visit http://www.kkmorton.com/.
If you are interested in having Karla K. Morton come to your town or school during her upcoming Little Town, Texas Tour, please contact Kelly Kirkendoll Shafer at kelly@shafercommunications.com or 817.236.6075.
About Karla K. Morton
Karla K. Morton is the 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate. She is also a board member of the Greater Denton Arts Council and a founding member and board member of the Denton Poets' Assembly (part of the Poetry Society of Texas). Morton has been published in a variety of literary journals, including descant, AmarilloBay, the Concho River Review, the Southwestern American Literature, Oak Bend Review, Wichita Falls Literary and Art Review, The Langdon Review of the Arts in Texas, the Texas Poetry Calendar, Illya's Honey, Austin International Poetry Anthology, New Texas, Denton Writer's League Anthology, and ARDENT. Morton, a member of the esteemed Western Writers of America, is also author of the book/CD titled Wee Cowrin' Timorous Beastie, (a North Texas Book Festival Awards Finalist), which is a unique blend of poetry, story and the original Celtic music of the award-winning Canadian composer, Howard Baer. She has been featured on the Art of Living Gallery national television show (episode titled "Commemorating Life") and loves to promote poetry, logging hundreds of miles across Texas, reading her work at such venues as schools, universities, bookstores, the Langdon Weekend, the Salado Highland Games, and the North Texas Irish Festival. Morton was born in Fort Worth, graduated from Mansfield High School, holds a journalism degree from Texas A&M University and currently resides in Denton, Texas, with her two children and husband. For more information, please visit http://www.kkmorton.com/.