The ninth annual Cam Busch Endowed Art for Health Lecture Series will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6-8 p.m., at the Hunter Museum of American Art.
Coleman Barks, native Chattanoogan, best-selling poet, and translator of the 13th century Persian poet Rumi, will read from his works and discuss the impact of art on health at the ninth annual Cam Busch Endowed Art for Health Lecture Series.
Mr. Barks will be accompanied in his reading by cellist David Darling, a Grammy Award-nominated artist whose innovative performance style earned him the title “maverick” long before it became a political buzzword.
“These unique performers have an engaging chemistry between them that delights and inspires audiences,” said Cam Busch, practicing art therapist from Chattanooga and national consultant on the arts in health care. “Their poetic and musical expression touches the soul with wisdom and demonstrates how art of all types can bring healing.”
The purpose of the lecture series is to acquaint the community with the importance of art in the healing process.
“Memorial is happy to partner with the Hunter Museum for the program this year to make it available to students and a wider community audience,” said Lorraine Tilstra, director of Memorial’s Oncology Support Services and Arts Medicine Program.
The son of Herbert B. Barks Sr. and brother of Herbert B. Barks Jr., longtime former headmasters of Baylor School, Coleman Barks began writing poetry as a child and has said he became a teacher to have “a reliable income.” He is professor emeritus at the University of Georgia.
Mr. Barks gained exceptional fame for rendering the essence of the poetry of Jalal al-Din Rumi (born in 1207) into fluid, beautiful, American-English free verse. His translations have sold more than a quarter of a million copies. Mr. Barks, who does frequent readings of his translations, captures the poetic color and fragrance of Rumi’s expressions of praise, grief, gratitude, and play.
Cellist David Darling has literally redefined the way the cello is played and the way music is taught. For more than 30 years, Mr. Darling has performed at major festivals and in concert venues that have included the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Grace Cathedral, Queen Victoria Hall, and the Kennedy Center.
For many years a featured performer with the Grammy Award-winning Paul Winter Consort, Mr. Darling has collaborated with a wide range of international performing artists, choreographers and dance companies, as well as solo artists.
Tickets are $25 per person, $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the evening of the event for $35. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar offered.
To purchase tickets, please call 423 495-4438.