Acclaimed Chicano author to visit San Benito

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

NMCAC

Nationally acclaimed Chicano author, Dagoberto Gilb, has recently agreed to speak at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Art Center (NMCAC) in San Benito.

“Terms have been agreed upon,” said NMCAC co-founder Rogelio T. Nuñez, who informed the News that the actual date of Gilb’s arrival is still pending but may occur as soon as this month.

“Gilb and I (have) been talking,” said Nuñez. “We (at the NMCAC) want writers to come in. I want to do all that I can to bring in folks such as Dagoberto.”

It is Nuñez’s hope that this speaking engagement will enrich the community artistically. He said, “This will enhance part of our programs (at the NMCAC). The Center already has a Writer’s Forum that meets monthly. “It’s good for the writers,” Nuñez said. “Most of them are writing what they can, but they work at other things. They can sort of absorb what he does, then share (what they take away from the event).”

Gilb is an author with Grove Press; although not an exhaustive list, throughout his career he has received the following awards and recognitions: James D. Phelan Award; National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship; Whiting Writers’ Award; PEN/Hemingway Award; PEN Faulkner Award, finalist; El Paso Writers’ Hall of Fame; Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship; Texas Book Festival Bookend Award; and PEN Southwest Book Award.

“I definitely think the Valley has a need for (outside) artists, writers, poets and painters,” said Nuñez. “I get a sense there are folks out there who could really add to what we’ve got in the Valley.”

Updates will be made available once a date has been mutually agreed upon by Gilb and the NMCAC.

 

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