Dennigan is the author of three books, including her most recent, Palace of Sub-Atomic Bliss (Canarium Books, 2016). Her work has appeared in Boston Review, Poetry Magazine and the Bennington Review. She teaches at the University of Connecticut.

Toraya (AKA Crankbunny) will discuss her work in illustration, animation and paper engineering as well as her journey as a freelance artist.

Haas Visiting Artist Reverend Billy and his collaborator Savitri D. return to Wheaton for a performance hosted by the Wheaton Institute for the Interdisciplinary Humanities. Come and see this performance artist-preacher revel against the sins of consumerism and sermonize on the crisis of the Earth. Internationally notorious for their hilarious and controversial work, director/activist Savitri D. and Reverend Billy’s stop at Wheaton promises to shake Cole Memorial Chapel with a joyful noise. Join us after the performance for a conversation led by Savitri D. about creative activism and strategies of resistance.

Being a fan usually starts with loving a given series, franchise, author, band, game, etc., but it rarely ends there. For many, fandom provides a sense of community, a catalyst for producing original creative content, or both. Flourish Klink and Elizabeth Minkel, creators and hosts of Fansplaining, will discuss their adventures in podcasting and fan culture, and how, perhaps even with a little help from the two of them, fans and the creative industries may have learned to stop worrying and love each other.

Contemporary painter and mixed media artist Barbara Owen creates a site-specific installation featuring her work with cut paper. Owen, who works out of studios in Pawtucket, RI and Brooklyn, NY, studied sculpture and poetry, but has since focused on painting as her primary medium. This exhibition is on display through November 3. The galleries will be closed on September 3 in observance of Labor Day, and October 6-9 for fall break.

Russell is the author of What’s Hanging on the Hush (Ahsahta Press, 2018). Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, jubilat and the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day newsletter. She serves as the Assistant Director of the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics at the University of Pittsburg.

Contemporary painter and mixed media artist Barbara Owen will talk about her career and her installation currently on display in the Weil Gallery. Owen, who works out of studios in Pawtucket, RI and Brooklyn, NY, studied sculpture and poetry, but has since focused on painting as her primary medium. Please join us for the opening reception of Simile + Metaphor: Red Necklace and Fiber/Paper/Love immediately following the lecture.

Creative writing alumnae Megan Collins ’06 and Jennifer Pierce ’13 read from their soon-to-be-published first novels. Collins, who holds a MFA from Boston University and teaches creative writing in Connecticut, will be reading from her manuscript Persephone’s Sister. Pierce, who received an M.A. in publishing in Oxford, England and works in Boston, Massachusetts, will read from her upcoming YA novel Slow Motion.

Christina Thompson, editor of the Harvard Review and the author of a memoir, Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All, which was shortlisted for the 2009 NSW Premier’s Prize, reads from her work. Her new book Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia, is scheduled for publication in summer 2018. May Room, Mary Lyon Hall, 5:00 p.m.

Conrad, whose most recent work includes While Standing in Line for Death, will read from their original poetry. They are the author of six books of poetry and won The Believer Magazine Book Award for their 2017 volume, ECODEVIANCE.