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Tara A. Elliott

Literary, Poetry

Within the past ten years, I have survived a ruptured brain aneurysm, my son's diagnosis of Asperger's, and the loss of my mother to a rare form of dementia (PPA). Understanding how the brain functions and processes memory has become vital to my process. Intentional evocation of memory for my readers is created through careful tension between sensory imagery and shared emotion. As of late, I have become fascinated with the Golden Ratio and how often it appears in nature. Strongly influenced by both Bishop and Clifton, my poetry explores the spirals found in nature, memory, and what make us human.

About the Artist

Tara A. Elliott’s poems have appeared in many journals, including The TAOS International Journal of Poetry & Art, The American Journal of Poetry, Stirring, Wildness (UK), Gargoyle, The Shore, The Storms (UK), and Ninth Letter.  Executive Director of Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA), she is also the founder and director of Salisbury Poetry Week, and the chair of the annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference (BTO).  The 2018 recipient of Maryland Humanities' Christine D. Sarbanes Award for excellence in teaching literature, she has also been awarded the Light of Literacy Educator Luminary Award (2016) and the Adult Luminary Award (2020) by Wicomico County Public Libraries. She has served as Poet-in-Residence for the Freeman Arts Pavilion, is a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA), and a grant awardee of Maryland State Arts Council, The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, MD Humanities, Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, and The Franklin P. & Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.  In 2022, she was awarded an Independent Arts Award (IAA) from Maryland State Arts Council.  Tara is available for speaking engagements, school visits, readings, lectures, and workshops.  You can contact here here: taraelliottpoetry@gmail.com

Tara A. Elliott website Tara A. Elliott's Webpage Tara A. Elliott website Eastern Shore Writers Assocation Tara A. Elliott website Bay to Ocean Writers Conference

Featured Work

Videos

  • "Blue" -- Palm Beach Poetry Festival

    See more information about "Blue" -- Palm Beach Poetry Festival
    Tara A. Elliott reading her poem "Blue" about the death of the eagles along the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This reading was for the 17th annual Palm Beach Festival. The festival took place virtually January 18-23, 2021.
    Medium: Poetry
    Year: 2021
    Details: 2:06

Booking

Booking Price: < $500

The host and facilitator of ESWA's (Eastern Shore Writers Association) successful Thursdays with ESWA Programming, an award-winning poet and teacher, Tara is available for poetry readings, lectures, craft discussions, school visits, panels on writing, and writing workshops as well as motivational speaking. She is also available to emcee readings, open mics, and conferences. She is well-versed in both live and virtual events. She is also available for consultation in planning events.

For workshops and motivational speaking: LCD projector & screen. Microphone preferred for sessions over 20 people.

Allegany County; Carroll County; Harford County; St. Mary's County; Anne Arundel County; Cecil County; Howard County; Somerset County; Baltimore City; Charles County; Kent County; Talbot County; Baltimore County; Dorchester County; Montgomery County; Washington County; Calvert County; Frederick County; Prince George's County; Wicomico County; Caroline County; Garrett County; Queen Anne's County; Worcester County

References furnished upon request.