4th Annual Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick High School Poetry Scholarship, March 30-April 29

The Workhouse Arts Center is proud to present the 4th Annual Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick High School Poetry Scholarship. The Workhouse Arts Center invited Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland high school 2011-2012 juniors and seniors to participate. The winning poem and honorable mentions are currently on display in conjunction with the 2012 Congressional Art exhibition, running through April 29.

A poetry slam and reception will take place on Saturday, April 14 from 6-8pm. Students are invited to attend, share their poem and participate in this free event. If you would like to participate or learn more about this event please email exhibits@lortonarts.org.

"Slam combines movement, voice, drama and the written word for an unforgettable spoken word." - Gayle Danely

The juror for the poetry contest is Gayle Danley. Gayle won her first public speaking contest in 7th grade. Gayle studied broadcast journalism at Howard University's School of Communications where she graduated cum laude. She left Washington, DC to study Radio, Television and Film at Syracuse University, earning a Master's Degree. It was not until after she finished school that she learned about Slam poetry. She embraced it almost immediately and won the 1994 National Individual Slam Poet in Ashville, NC just months after being exposed to Slam poetry. In Heidelberg, Germany, she became the 1996 International Slam Poet Champion.

Gayle launched her one‐woman show, "Brilliance," touching thousands with her Slam Poetry workshops, lectures, performances and speeches. Gayle has published three books: "Naked," "Soulfull-A Slam Poetry Study Guide," and "Passionate-Poems You Can Feel."

In addition to her motivational speaking and college performances, she has maintained a constant tour of elementary and secondary schools, helping students with traumatic experiences and teaching workshops on Slam poetry performance to all age groups.

Gayle's explosive style combines movement and emotion as she performs her magic on the audience, sweeping them up in her words as she addresses and explores contemporary issues.

ABOUT Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick

Sgt. Scott Lange Kirkpatrick was a prolific poet who performed at poetry slams in Washington, DC and Baltimore, as well as around the country in Boston, Chicago and New York City. He was the 2000 DC Slam Champion performing his poem Dance Lesson.

After 9/11 and much reflection, Kirkpatrick joined the United States Army. Stationed at Fort Steward in Savannah, GA, his first deployment was to Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq in 2005. There he continued to write poetry. During his second tour, as a part of the surge stationed south of Baghdad in Arab Jabour, Kirkpatrick and three others were killed by a house bomb while pursuing a sniper on August 11, 2007.

Kirkpatrick’s poetry has been published posthumously by National Public Radio and On Patrol USO magazine.

Date(s): 3/30/2012 to 4/29/2012

Venue: Gallery Building 2nd Floor

Ticket Required: No