The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle, founded Plato’s Academy circa 387 BC. It was not designed or to be viewed as a formal school, college or university, but rather as a place where like minded intellectuals could share their common interests, views and pursue their studies of subjects ranging from philosophy and mathematics to astronomy. If you remember your own school studies, Plato believed that knowledge could be taught after observation. He also fervently believed and stated that “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.”
Based on Plato’s philosophy, an exciting undertaking to be known as The Poetry Academy at the Halsey House has been announced by well-known poet, Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan. The Poet Academy will be “An informal association of people, who are interested in studying.” Nuzzo-Morgan’s credits include the 2017 Walt Whitman Birthplace Association Long Island Poet of the Year, Suffolk County Poet Laureate 2009-2011, Founder/President of TNSPS, Long Island Sounds Editor, President of The Poetry Place, among a myriad of other honors, as well as author of four books.
“The Academy will cover a wide range of topics in poetry, including, but not limited to Anne Bradstreet and other Colonial Poets, Whitman and other Civil War Poets, Hughes and other Civil Rights Poets, Frost and other Nature Poets, Wilcox and other 19th century Poets, Ginsburg and other Beat Poets, Sapphire and other Feminists Poets, Neruda and other Hispanic Poets.”
Nuzzo-Morgan stated, “We hope inspiration among the beauty of the Halsey property and the house itself will contribute to the workshop poems by participants who will be given the opportunity to have their works performed at monthly readings.”
Seating will be limited to ten participants for the workshops presently scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, Tuesday, June 12, Tuesday, June 19, Tuesday, June 26; Tuesday, July 10, Tuesday, July 17, Tuesday, July 31; Tuesday, August 7, Tuesday, August 14, Tuesday, August 28; Tuesday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 18.
Poetry Readings will be held Thursday, June 21, Thursday, July 19, Thursday, August 16, and Thursday, September 20.
All events will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Poetry Academy is being sponsored by the Rogers Memorial Library and the Southampton Historical Museum.
For more information go to www.southamptonhistory.orgor call 631-414-7702.