First Fridays at Furious Flower Broadside Gallery

Friday, September 5th, 5-7PM

Theme: Language, Lessons, and Lineage

Venue: The Furious Flower Poetry Center

Join us for another Arts Council of the Valley First Friday Downtown Art Tour reception featuring our ninth exhibition, Language, Lessons, and Lineage curated by Richard A. Morrell on Friday, September 5 from 5-7 p.m. at Furious Flower Poetry Center, Cardinal House, 500 Cardinal Dr. Light refreshments provided. Free and open to the public. 

Go to the Broadside Gallery Webpage to find out more!

2025 Furious Flower Poetry Prize Reading Featuring Aracelis Girmay

Friday, September 18th, 5-6:30PM

Venue: Taylor 404

On September 18th, 2025, Furious Flower Poetry Prize winner Martins Deep and honorable mention Ian-Khara Ellasante read alongside judge Aracelis Girmay in Taylor, Room 404.

Aracelis Girmay: Faculty & Staff Workshop

Friday, September 19th, 12-1:30PM

Venue: Pathways Training Room (Wine-Price)

Faculty and staff of James Madison University are invited to join us for a writing workshop with poet Aracelis Girmay on September 18th from 12-1:30PM in Pathways in the Wine-Price building at James Madison University. RSVP via email to attend.

October 2025

Book Talk with Krista Franklin and the Boundless Bound Symposium and Art Book Fair 

Thursday, October 30th, 5-6:30PM

Venue: Taylor 404

Krista Franklin is an American poet and visual artist whose primary artistic focus is collage.  Her work, which addresses issues of race, gender, and class, combines personal, pop-cultural, and historical imagery.  They will deliver a featured talk on art books at the Boundless Bound Symposium and Art Book Fair.  This event is part of a two-day event blending scholarship, creativity, and hands-on practice through a symposium, workshops, and a vibrant art book fair. Find out more about Boundless Bound Symposium and Art Book Fair.

November 2025

Furious Flower Poetry Center Reading Series With Rickey Laurentiis

Tuesday, November 18th, 5-6:30PM

Venue: Taylor 404

The Furious Flower Poetry Center invites you to join us for this semester's final Reading Series event, featuring Ricky Laurentiis. They are author of Death of the First Idea (Knopf, 2025) and Boy with Thorn (University of Pittsburgh Press), which was selected by Terrance Hayes for the 2014 Cave Canem Poetry Prize.