James Baker Hall Foundation

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James Baker Hall Foundation

James Baker Hall 1935-2009
Celebrating the legacy of great artistic heritage in KY literary and visual creatives

05/21/2026

Reminder🔔…

The James Baker Hall 2026 Book Award is officially accepting submissions! With no submission fee, a $3,000 award, publication through Accents Publishing, and a marketing tour across the Commonwealth, this is an incredible opportunity to share your work statewide.

If you’re a Kentucky writer with an unpublished manuscript, we want to read it.

🗓 Submissions close June 30th
📍 Open to Kentucky writers at any stage of their career
📖 Scan the QR code to learn more and apply

05/17/2026

The James Baker Hall Foundation spent the day in Hazard, Kentucky yesterday at the Bobby Davis Museum and Park sharing music, conversation, and community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a meaningful event!! Stay tuned for more Kentucky on the Road events coming soon🚍

05/15/2026

Join us for an evening of poetry, music, and community as Willie Davis shares readings from Honeysuckle Season. Featuring music by Luke Davis and Lindsey Branson, plus light refreshments by Shenanigans.

🗓 Saturday, May 16
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Bobby Davis Museum and Park | 234 Walnut Street

Hosted by the James Baker Hall Foundation. We’d love to see you there!!

05/07/2026

Our May newsletter is out now! 📚✨

Inside this month’s edition:
• Kentucky Writers on the Road returns for year two
• Upcoming events across the Commonwealth
• Highlights from Kentucky Writers’ Day and spring literary events

Check it out and stay connected with all things Kentucky literature at Jamesbakerhallfoundation.org!

04/30/2026

As National Poetry Month comes to a close, we return to the words themselves📝

“To Get There” by James Baker Hall reminds us that poetry doesn’t always offer clear destinations—sometimes, it invites us to sit in movement, in observation, in the quiet unfolding of a place.

This month, we’ve gathered in community to experience storytelling in many forms—through film, conversation, and the written word. And while April ends, the journey doesn’t.

Poetry continues—wherever we are, wherever we’re going. Join us for our 2026 Kentucky Writers on the Road! Visit our website for more information at jamesbakerhallfoundation.org!

04/26/2026

Yesterday’s Kentucky Writers’ Day brought together an inspiring group of voices to celebrate the Commonwealth’s literary legacy. ✨

We are grateful to be part of a day honoring storytelling, poetry, and the enduring impact of Kentucky’s writers.

04/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for the screening of Look & See: Further—it was an incredible evening of reflection, storytelling, and community. We’re so grateful to share space with each of you and to celebrate the work of Laura Dunn, Wendell Berry, and Tanya Berry together.

If you missed it, you still have one more chance to join us…

🎬 Look & See: Further
🗓 TONIGHT | 7:00 PM
📍 Maiden Alley Cinema
🎟 Tickets available at the door or with this link https://jamesbakerhall.civicrm.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=831&qid=41097

Come experience nine powerful short films and stay for a special conversation with Mary Berry. Presented by the James Baker Hall Foundation in collaboration with Twin Birds Film and The Berry Center.

04/15/2026

Today, we celebrate the birthday of James Baker Hall (1935–2009)—the poet, photographer, novelist, and teacher who remains at the heart of everything we do at the James Baker Hall Foundation. His fearless creativity, unwavering voice, and commitment to artistic truth continue to shape and inspire our work every day.

From his time as Kentucky’s Poet Laureate to his decades of mentorship, Hall left more than a remarkable body of work—he left a lasting legacy of curiosity, honesty, and deep humanity. Through his words and images, he challenged us to see the world differently and to tell stories that truly matter.

To explore his work and support the continuation of his vision, visit jamesbakerhallfoundation.org.

04/14/2026

Join us TODAY for Look & See: Further—an evening of powerful storytelling featuring nine short films by award-winning filmmaker Laura Dunn, offering a deeper look into the world of Wendell Berry and Tanya Berry.

Following the screenings, we’re honored to welcome Mary Berry for a special discussion.

🗓 TONIGHT | 7:00 PM
📍 Kentucky Theatre
Tickets: https://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=609746~4bf9e7f1-1009-40cc-a9d9-a2c743b0ce02&epguid=8ac0d5dd-849f-4dd9-b20f-6e855b9d268c&mdy=4/14/2026&

ANOTHER SCREENING…
🗓 Thu, Apr 16 | 7:00 PM
📍 Maiden Alley Cinema
Tickets can be bought at the door!

Presented by the James Baker Hall Foundation in collaboration with Twin Birds Film and The Berry Center.

04/13/2026

This past week we had wonderful evening celebrating literature, community, and an incredible achievement 📚✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 James Baker Hall Book Award Winner Celebration and book signing for Honeysuckle Season by Willie Davis. It was a joy to gather in Lexington and honor such powerful storytelling. The book is now available for purchase at accents-publishing.com/books

Congratulations again to Willie Davis, and thank you to Joseph-Beth Booksellers for hosting!

Address

PO Box 6555
Louisville, KY
40206

Telephone

+18592129643

Website

https://linktr.ee/JamesBakerHallFoundation

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