We hope you enjoyed the third annual Ventura County Poetry Festival as Poetry in the Gallery makes its return to its standard format!

This month will be featuring Phil Taggart and Dane Lyn.

As always, there will be an open mic. Poets who would like to perform can sign up on the day and will have a maximum of five minutes (if you have shorter poems, please feel free to do more than one). Tickets are free for all students, members of the gallery and performers. So, if you plan to read on the open mic, please reserve a free ticket, since you will count as a performer. General admission is a suggested $10 donation. If you would like to attend but cannot afford the donation, please contact sean[at]studiochannelislands.org for options of financial support.

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Phil Taggart has four collections of poetry: Walking the Dog in a Time of Rage, Rick Sings, Opium Wars and an art book with artist Ann Harithas, Cowboy Collages. He has been a poetry editor for over twenty years for Art Life limited edition, and with Marsha de la O, the Askew Poetry Journal and Spillway.

He has taught poetry workshops at Cal Lutheran, University of Pittsburg, local high schools, CAPS Media and elementary schools. He teaches Broadcast Digital Media at El Camino High School at Ventura College.

Phil has run and supported poetry readings in Ventura County and Santa Barbara since 1991. He presently hosts a weekly poetry reading at the Vita Art Center in Ventura.

Dane Lyn (they/them) is a neurosparkly poet, educator, and glitter enthusiast. They hold an MFA from Lindenwood University and are twice nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Dane keeps a ridiculous succulent collection, has five scavenger hunt runner-up ribbons, and is the Ink & Marrow’s managing editor. danelyn.net • @punkhippypoet