East on Central Publication Party, an appreciation

Judith M.K. Tepfer spoke about the latest 122-page issue – the contributions of 39 writers and 56 visual artists as well as the board of directors who make East on Central possible. Judith spoke of the often delicious pairings of graphics and poetry in East on Central.

A particularly apt example of this visual and written connection is found in Susan Roupp’s poem “Stand In” and Voy Madeyski‘s painting “Chicago Lake Shore Drive.” In Susan’s poem, a young man from Utah asks about Sears Tower; it makes him (and the listener) think about the fate of the twin towers. In Voy’s painting, “Sears Tower,” a monolith in black dominates the Chicago Skyline. Strong, yet oddly vulnerable.

Kathy Halper told the story of Willie, the man whose portrait is on this year’s East on Central cover. Kathy first saw Willie near the Chicago Cultural Center on Randolph and Michigan, and explaining that she was a painter, asked if she could take his photograph. He agreed. Then she began the painting; part of a series of life on the street. When she had completed it, she took a print of the portrait and kept it in her car, hoping she could find Willie again. Nine months later she found him – near Randolph and Michigan. Kathy called out his name. After a brief hesitation, Willie remembered her, and she was able to give him the print of his beautiful portrait.

Sandy Starkman told of her Kimono Quilt, 15 years in the making. Michael Brownstein recounted a stay in Antigua where “everything, every leaf, every iquana, every ghost wrapped in ash.” Emma Alexandra and Anthony Billoti, husband and wife and artistic collaborators, shared their images of “The Haymarket Tragedy–May 1, 1886.” Emma’s poem is an elegy to the tragic events of that day and the loss of our history. Anthony’s photograph is both an abstract view of the Haymarket site as well as documentation of its appearance in 2008.

At that point in the evening, Don began to get sweaty palms as he had been selected to read the poem, “Beatnik Devil of Death,” and sensed that his time was coming. (you can find the podcast on his facebook page)

East on Central is available for purchase ($10.00) at: Sunset Foods, Borders, the Art Center of Highland Park, CityWoods, Hi-Land Art & Frame, The Custom Framer, Princeton Frame and Art Gallery and Ross’s Discount.