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The Arkansas Philological Association will hold its 2022 annual conference at the University of Arkansas at Monticello from Thursday, October 27 through Saturday, October 29. This group of teachers and scholars shares an interest in words, languages, literature, criticism, film and teaching.

Conference presentations from many fields such as English, nursing, music, math and foreign languages will explore diverse views of this year’s theme: Health is Wealth.

Entertainment activities are scheduled throughout the event and are open to the public. Drew County Extension Homemakers Council will host the Inaugural Delta Quilt Show in the Gibson University Center Capital Room on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., displaying over 100 Arkansas quilts. Nick Newlin of 30 Minute Shakespeare will lead a “Let’s Make a Scene” dramatic reading of his condensed version of “Twelfth Night” on Friday from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Gibson University Center Caucus Room. Dr. Michael Blazier, dean of the UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, will lead a nature walk through the Forestry Park on Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m.

A free jazz concert in the Gibson University Center Green Room on Friday at 4:00 p.m. will be followed by the keynote address, “The Law of Help: John Ruskin’s Moral Vision of Connection.” Dr. Gabriel Meyer, the keynote speaker, is the executive director of the Ruskin Art Club of Los Angeles, California. His talk will focus on the importance of community service and commitment to sustain the vitality of community life.

Poet-journalist Gabriel Meyer is an award-winning foreign correspondent who has lived and worked throughout the Middle East, the Balkans and East Africa. He was especially acclaimed for his coverage of the first Palestinian Intifada and the Bosnian War. He was awarded honorary doctorates in recognition of his work as a journalist by the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at UC Berkeley in 2017 and by Lancaster University in the UK in 2022.

For more information about the conference, the Delta Quilt Show, the entertainment activities or the free concert and keynote address, please email the conference directors at apa2022monticello@gmail.com or call Dr. Kay Walter at 870-460-1578.