CAMINO, Calif. (November 24, 2023) – In a celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Poetry of the Sierra Foothills proudly presents an enchanting evening featuring El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows and the dynamic spoken word poet and arts activist Rina Wakefield. The event is set to take place at the captivating Chateau Davell on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Stephen Meadows: Weaving Verse from Native Roots
El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows, a poetic luminary with roots in both the Ohlone heritage and the pioneer soil of California, brings a rich tapestry of experiences to his verses. Born and raised on the picturesque Monterey Bay, Meadows pursued his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at San Francisco State University.
Meadows has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with poems featured in anthologies and collections across the nation. Notable works include “The Sounds of Rattles and Clappers,” “The Dirt is Red Here,” and his first book, “Releasing the Days.” His contribution to “Fire and Rain: Ecopoetry of California” and “Red Indian Road West” further solidifies his impact on the ecopoetic realm.
Continuing his poetic journey, Meadows recently released “Winter Work” in November 2022, a testament to his ongoing exploration of language and nature. Audiences can delve into his captivating spoken word pieces on CDs such as “Red Smoke Dawn Wind” and “Under the Buffalo Sun.”
Rina Wakefield: Spoken Word Alchemy and Advocacy
Rina Wakefield, a force in the spoken word arena, breathes life into her poetry with compelling live performances. As a featured performer for El Dorado County’s Poet Laureate program and various art events, Wakefield’s spoken word prowess has resonated with diverse audiences.
Beyond the stage, Wakefield is a collaborative artist in the Myrtle Tree Arts Collective in Placerville. Her commitment to storytelling extends to her role as co-producer of Storytelling Sunday at The Green Room and associate producer for the podcast “Placertopia.” A dedicated advocate for human rights and environmental awareness, she serves on the Human Rights Day Committee and contributed to the Sugar Skull Art Walk project in 2023.
Wakefield’s impact extends to the realm of literature, with her work featured in publications like Art and Culture El Dorado’s chapbook “Poets of the Firehouse Sessions” in 2023. Her articles have graced platforms such as Ms. Magazine.com, The California Business Journal, dametraveler.com, and Performer Magazine.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in library science with a focus on rare book curation and archives, Wakefield brings a unique blend of academic rigor and creative flair to her poetic expressions. Her ongoing projects include a prose poetry chapbook and a creative non-fiction novel rooted in her Indigenous and Native American heritage.
As a proud single mother, Wakefield champions women’s empowerment and dedicates her time to volunteering for human rights and environmental awareness campaigns. Her family lineage, tracing back to the Purepecha people of Michoacán, Mexico, serves as a wellspring of inspiration for her creative pursuits.
