THREADS
As a new arts season unfolds, we introduce you to five local artists whose personal styles are as varied as their art forms.
PAUL HANSON CLARK
Poet & Prairie Schooner publishing house web editor His teacher must have had an inkling when Paul turned in a long essay about a family vacation. It’s difficult for most first-graders to spell the word “vacation,” let alone write about one. That same teacher encouraged him to write more essays, and he went on to write poetry, too. After college, a man hugged him and said, “I hear you like to write. Wanna’ start up a writers group?” That was seven years ago. Today, he’s a fixture at the SP CE poetry studio and Parrish Studios in Lincoln, where he lives. For this photo shoot, Paul didn’t know what to wear so he brought every article of clothing – 20 items total –from his closet. “I used to spend money on things in every area of my life,” he says. “But I discovered that I don’t need a lot.” Quality, however, matters. He loves Levi’s, Banana Republic and Post & Nickel. A wardrobe staple with loads of character: A 10-year-old bomber jacket. “It’s pretty sweet.” If he’s not running barefoot, he’s on his bike. “I made this vow to myself to stop wearing jeans with holes. These have holes because I wrecked my bike.”
Be inspired by local writers at the Omaha Lit Fest Sept. 12 and 13 at the W. Dale Clark Branch of the Omaha Public Library.
40 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014