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NWCC exhibitor Charlotte Digregorio will exhibit illustrated haiku poetry through July 7th

Cultural Council Exhibitor Receives Governor's Commendation

Submitted by Kathy Umlauf

Charlotte Digregorio, who is exhibiting her illustrated poetry at Moats Gallery in Palatine and the Arlington Green Executive Center in Arlington Heights through Saturday, July 7, has received an official commendation from Governor Bruce Rauner for her 38 years of accomplishments in the literary arts and for her work to advance the field through educating adults and students.

Digregorio's exhibits at 675 N. North Ct. in Palatine and 2101 S. Arlington Heights Rd. in Arlington Heights are free and open to the public, sponsored by the Northwest Cultural Council of Barrington.

"I am very honored to receive this recognition for my life's work in various writing genres, and my work has brought me much fulfillment and pleasure," Digregorio said. "I enjoy bringing the literary arts to the public's attention, working to make them just as popular to general audiences as the visual arts," she added. Digregorio is often called a "people's poet," in striving to make poetry visible as a mainstream art.

Digregorio's two exhibits feature haiku and senryu- short, insightful poems that capture life's moments- illustrated with paintings and graphic arts. Her poetry is self- illustrated and also features the work of various Chicago metro artists. Digregorio of Winnetka, is the author of Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All.

Haiku and senryu, the latter, haiku's humorous twin form, are both written in just a few lines. They are becoming a worldwide fad in 56 languages with about 40 million people who write them, Digregorio said. "These poems originated in Japan centuries ago, and are particularly popular at open mics in the U.S., accessible to people from all walks of life," she added.

Digregorio's poetry is also exhibited throughout the region and nationally at several venues including: public/academic libraries, banks, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, apparel stores, wine shops, botanic gardens, theatres, hospitals, galleries, and on public transit.

The author of six award-winning books, Digregorio writes twelve poetic forms, publishes short stories, and writes news, features and columns for newspapers and magazines. She has won forty-six international poetry awards, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her poems have been translated into eight languages and she translates poetry books from Italian into English.

Digregorio has organized numerous poetry programs and festivals, working with municipal leaders and foreign consulates, in addition to organizing events through public libraries and literary organizations.

The author does poetry readings at bookstores and speaks at regional and national writer's conferences; is a writer-in-residence at universities; teaches poetry in the public schools; and judges national non-fiction and poetry contests. She hosted a radio poetry program on public broadcasting.

Digregorio's general writers' blog, www.charlottedigregorio.wordpress.com, includes The Daily Haiku, and is read by people in about 180 countries. It features the work of writers of various genres from 33 countries.

The author taught languages and writing for decades at universities and did her graduate work at The University of Chicago.

The Northwest Cultural Council, serving the Northwest corridor, is a non-profit organization. It supports and promotes the work of area visual artists and poets, offering a variety of programs including corporate gallery exhibitions, co-sponsored by businesses, convention and visitors' bureaus, libraries, and hospitals; art competitions to stimulate and promote artists; and poetry readings and workshops.

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