An Evening of Art & Poetry

The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center and Beaufort Arts Council will host art historian Midori Yamamura, speaking on Yoko Ono’s Painting to Hammer a Nail (1966), and poet Luis H. Francia, reading from his newest collection Thorn Grass (2021).

Free and open to the public, this partnership program will be held on Friday, February 17, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Beaufort Arts Council, 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. Seating is limited; please call the Conroy Center in advance at 843-379-7025 to reserve your spot. Books will be available for sale and signing. There will be a brief intermission between the two presentations. Wine and refreshments will be provided.

Husband and wife, Luis H. Francia and Midori Yamamura live in Jackson Heights, Queens. Yamamura is an associate professor of art history at the CUNY Kingsborough Community College and the 2022-23 Alcaly/ Bodian Distinguished Scholar at the Advanced Research Collaborative at the CUNY Graduate Center. Luis H. Francia is a poet, playwright, nonfiction writer, and occasional filmmaker. He is an adjunct professor at New York University, where he teaches Filipino language and culture. Learn more about the Beaufort Arts Council at www.beaufortartscouncil.com. Learn more about the Pat Conroy Literary Center at www.patconroyliterarycenter.org.

ramekins in the preheated oven and carefully pour hot water into the baking dish, allowing it to come about an inch up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the custards are set around the edges but still jiggly in the centers. Cool completely in the refrigerator. To serve, sprinkle the tops with sugar and brulee with a torch or under the broiler until brown and caramelized. Top with a few pieces of buttered popcorn before serving. Serves 4.

The writer owns Catering by Debbi Covington and is the author of three cookbooks, Celebrate Beaufort, Celebrate Everything! and Dining Under the Carolina Moon. For more great recipes and to view her cooking demonstrations, visit and subscribe to Debbi’s YouTube channel. Debbi’s website address is www.cateringbydebbicovington.com. She may be reached at 843-525-0350 or by email at dbc@ cateringbydebbicovington.com