(Photo provided) Marc Harshman, West Virginia’s Poet Laureate, will present an evening of poetry, storytelling, and musical accompaniment at Marietta College’s Alma McDonough Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 6, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starting at 7 p.m.

The Esbenshade Series and Marietta College plan to welcome Marc Harshman, West Virginia’s Poet Laureate since 2012, for an evening of poetry, storytelling, and musical accompaniment. The event will take place in the Alma McDonough Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 6, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starting at 7 p.m.

The event, funded by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, provides annual income to bring lectures, performing artists, and programs of a diverse nature to the Marietta College campus and the Mid-Ohio Valley community at large.

All events are free and open to the public.

Harshman will share selections from his body of work, including readings from his latest collection, “Following the Silence.” The evening will be enriched by piano accompaniment from West Virginia Music Hall of Fame inductee Bob Thompson.

Harshman was recently named the 2024 Appalachian Heritage Writer by Shepherd University. His children’s books include “Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece” and “The Storm.” His poetry collections include “Woman in Red Anorak” and “Believe What You Can.”

His works have received numerous accolades including the Blue Lynx Prize and the Weatherford Award, Smithsonian Notable Book for Children and the Junior Library Guild Selection.

During the presentation, Harshman will reflect on his decade-long tenure as West Virginia’s Poet Laureate and discuss his unique perspective as a children’s author and poet. The evening will conclude with a discussion period, allowing attendees to engage directly with the author.

Harshman’s presentation is open to the public, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.