Writing

Poetry

Kirsten Rian’s poetry has appeared in national literary journals and anthologies, and was nominated for inclusion in the 2008 Best New Poets anthology. She is the Poetry Editor for the online literary journal, writersdojo.org. She leads workshops internationally, including locations like Sierra Leone and Finland, using poetry as a tool for literacy, healing, and storytelling within the refugee/immigrant and homeless communities. Kalashnikov In The Sun, her anthology of Sierra Leonean poetry, was published in 2009 through Pika Press. Her collection of poetry and essays, Geography, was also published in 2009 as a limited edition artist’s book through Laurwyn Press. She co-authored with Sharon Wood Wortman the anthology, Walking Bridges Using Poetry as a Compass. Also an independent curator and writer, she has coordinated more than 375 exhibitions, and 65 books and catalogues.

Selected Publications

  • Monograph introduction, Hiroshi Watanabe Findings, 2007, CMPL.
  • Monograph introduction, Ann Ploeger Untitled, 2007, Franklin Beedle.
  • Editor and co-author, Walking Bridges Using Poetry As Compass, a collection of contemporary poetry including such regional luminaries as Dorianne Laux, Paulann Peterson, Lawson Inada, and Walt Curtis, and internationally-recognized names as Seamus Heaney, Ted Kooser, and Stephen Dunn, 2007, funded in part with a grant from Regional Arts & Culture Council.
  • Editor: Sixth Street poets anthology, San Francisco, 2006; Could I Be A Poet? anthology, Atkinson Elementary, 2007; Reflecting Hope, Unspoken Reality, Unraveled, Duck and Cover anthologies, Open Meadow High School, 2006 – 2008.
  • Poetry published in literary journals nationally, including RHINO Literary Journal, Chicago, IL, Spring 2005; Upstreet Literary Journal, Boston, MA, Spring, 2007; Jefferson Monthly, Ashland, OR, Fall, 2008; On The Issues Magazine, Fall, 2008.
  • Poetry published in anthology of Oregon Poets Against the War, Rainy Day Press, 2004.
  • Poetry published in international anthology, Not A Muse, 2009.
  • Top-25 winner in Glimmer Train Journal poetry open, 2004.
  • Monograph, San Francisco Center for the Book, 2007.
  • Work nominated for inclusion in the 2008 Best New Poets anthology.

Selected Readings

  • Featured poet, William Stafford Peace Symposium, 2009.
  • Featured poet, Verse in Person series, Multnomah County Library, 2008.
  • Featured poet, Wordstock Literary Festival, 2008.
  • Featured poet, Annual William Stafford Memorial Poetry & Potluck event, September, 2007.
  • Featured poet, San Francisco Center for the Book, Poets Pulling Poems series, funded in part with a grant from Poets & Writers, July, 2006. Limited edition letterpress broadside produced at event.
  • Featured poet, Second Sundays Series, Stayton, OR, November, 2007.
  • Featured poet, Portland Bridge Walk, Portland Parks & Recreation, July, 2006.
  • Invited lecturer to Portland State University practicum linguistics students in Spring, 2005; Fall, 2006; Winter, 2006; Winter, 2007; Fall, 2007; Winter, 2008; poetry as a tool for literacy and healing with alternative populations.
  • Invited presenter, ORTESOL conference, Fall 2005, presented seminar on use of poetry in a workshop setting with refugee and immigrant communities to foster literacy and the sharing of language and stories.

Freelance Grantwriting and Project Management

Rian is a freelance development consultant, grant writer and editor for creative and arts organizations, with past clients including the Portland Art Museum, Oregon College of Art & Craft, & Wild Salmon Center/Ecotrust, PhotoAlliance, Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, New Space Artist Center, and individual artists, among others.

Teaching

Poet-in-Residence through the Literary Arts Writers-in-the-Schools program 2003-2009; ongoing: Portland State University; Multnomah County Library; Saturday Academy; Fishtrap, independent workshops and classes through various organizations regionally and internationally.