Sussex poet Clare Best in Chichester

Chichester Library is joining forces with Open Mic Poetry to host Sussex poet Clare Best at A Celebration of Poetry on National Poetry Day (Thursday, October 6).

Clare will be reading from her new works CELL and Springlines where she blends words with pictures. Artist collaborator Michaela Ridgeway will also be present. Live music from Linda Kelsall-Barnett on classical guitar and open mic poetry combine to offer a mix of words and music. Open Mic spokesman Barry Smith said: “Clare Best’s first full poetry collection, Excisions, was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Centre Prize in 2012. Other poetry publications include Treasure Ground, Breastless and CELL.

“Two recent projects have involved collaborations with visual artists. Clare is working with the painter Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis on Springlines, a project exploring hidden and mysterious bodies of water across the South of England, whilst in CELL, which retells the story of a medieval anchoress, Clare’s words work in harness with Michaela Ridgway’s powerful art.”