To the editor:

All of our generous donors, sponsors and volunteers are excited to present Whidbey’s new poetry festival, Brave New Words, a dynamic and diverse all-day celebration of poetry at beautiful Greenbank Farm. An exceptional event in an exceptional location, presented with joy and pride!

Brave New Words received financial and in-kind donations from almost 50 groups and individuals, with another 30 individuals stepping up to donate their services and time. Without them there would be no poetry festival on Whidbey.

Special thanks go to our major donors, the Elizabeth George Foundation, Greenbank Farm, Hedgebrook, Lindsay Communications, Rob Schouten Gallery, Walking Woman Productions and the Whidbey Island Arts Council.

I would like to offer special thanks to Patricia Duff, our wonderful performer liaison, and John Lee, who found housing for visiting poets. And I really can’t thank the amazing Gitana Garafalo and astonishing Faith Wilder enough for their passion, dedication and the hundreds of hours they donated.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors large and small and our steadfast team of volunteers, we are able to offer this bounty of fun at a very low price, and we are delighted to do so.

Please join us on Saturday, April 18 for a day filled with poetry, music and community. While at Greenbank Farm you can revel in the expansive water views and miles of beautiful walking trails, not to mention the wonderful nearby restaurants (Whidbey Pies Café and Lesedi Farm’s African Food Café), shops and fine art galleries.

Let the poetic good times roll!

Victory Lee Schouten

Festival Director