Creative writing alum Nina Oteria launches poetry wall project with fellow artists in Durham, NC

A poem by Wake Forest University creative writing alumna Nina Oteria can now be found on the Corcoran Poetry Wall, a new public installation painted by Bethany Bash. Bash’s mural, which includes Oteria’s poem alongside a poem by Kristi Stout, is located on Corcoran Street between Ramseur Street and Main Street in Durham, NC. 

The artists write: “Our theme of ‘the unseen,’ under earth and underwater, inspired us to bring our hidden words forward in hopes of encouraging others to do the same. We aim to bring Durham residents into contact with poetry written by their neighbors. We hope to change the traditional perception of who poetry is for and what poetry can say.”

On March 7, 2020, from 1-3 p.m., there will be a public launch party at the Corcoran Poetry Wall featuring poetry readings by Nina, Kristi, and other artists in the Durham community. Copies of their chapbooks will be available, and there will be a brief open mic portion afterwards for community members who would like to share their work. 

You can follow the project and view more images of the artists’ work on Instagram at @corcoranpoetry. 

Funding for the Corcoran Poetry Wall was provided by the Downtown Durham Public Space Project. Learn more at downtowndurham.com/psp.

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About the Creators:

Nina Oteria is from Raleigh, NC. She lives in Durham and writes about blackness, vision, nature, and healing. You can find more poems and work at ninaoteria.com.

Kristi Stout is a multidisciplinary artist based in Durham. You can find more of her work on Instagram @kristi.kreme, or on her website kristi-stout.com.

Bethany Bash is a painter who has lived and worked in Durham since 2008. She has five outdoor public art murals around the city, including one of the satellite dishes at the Satellite Park and a traffic control box on Trinity Avenue. She also has a studio practice, where she focuses on exploring themes of identity, growth, and acceptance through the creation of self-portraits. www.bethanybash.com Facebook: Art by Bethany Bash