Art historian Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio and poet/author Tony Magistrale will find a place among the stacks of Howe Library on February 12 at 3 p.m. to talk all-things sculpture, poetry and the art of collaboration. Di Dio will discuss her new book, "Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards" which uncovers the challenges of transporting large-scale artwork in an era of limited mobility. Magistrale will read his poems, including "Il Marmo" (Marble)—featured in Di Dio’s book—and reflect on how art informs his poetic practice. 

"Those of us who work in the Libraries love these chances to highlight UVM authors and experts, and it's been so thrilling to see the UVM community excited to attend," said Meg Thomas, director of outreach and process. "Working with Kelley and Tony on this event was so much fun—their collegial dynamic is energizing and will make for such a fun conversation."

More about our speakers:

Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio is Executive Director of the School of the Arts, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Rush C. Hawkins Professor of Art History at the University of Vermont, where she won  the George Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award in 2023 and the Kroepsch-Marice Teaching Award in 2016. 

Tony Magistrale is professor and former chair of the English department at the University of Vermont and won the George Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award in 2001. He is the author of twenty books centered on the work of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King. His most recent is entitled "The Great Illustrators of Edgar Allan Poe." He is also a poet, with three published books of poems, including "More Fun Than Pretty," the collection where “Il Marmo” first appeared, a poem he wrote many years ago while on a Fulbright post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Milan. 

Join us for this in-person event. Refreshments will be served and a chance to win signed copies of the authors' books will be available.