Past Events:
20th anniversary of the Iceworker Sings by Andrés Montoya
March 27-30, 2019 - AWP Conference in Portland, Oregon
The Ice Worker Still Sings: 20th anniversary of a classic text - Panelists included Steven Sanchez, Manuel Paul Lopez, Sarah A. Chavez, Sara Borjas, and 2018 winner of the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize Heidi Andrea Restrepo Rhodes.
Panel Description: Of Andrés Montoya’s book, noted poet-critic Rigoberto González wrote, in 2008: “[In this generation, the ice worker sings should be known as the finest book of poetry to come out of our community.” 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of this classic text, winner of an American Book Award after the poet’s death, and recently re-issued. Five published Latinx poets, none of whom knew Montoya personally, discuss what this seminal book of poetry has meant to their work and their artistic sensibilities.
Together We'll Be a Song: A celebration of Andrés Montoya
California State University, Fresno
April 13-14, 2018
A two-day symposium was held at Fresno State to celebrate Andrés Montoya's life and work. Poets, scholars, and community converged for a host of readings and panels discussing Montoya's poetics, teaching his books in the classroom, and reflecting on his impact on American poetry.
The symposium was sponsored and organized by the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing at Fresno State, in collaboration with Letras Latinas, the literary initiative at the University of Notre Dame's Institute for Latino Studies.
a jury of Trees Book Release
September 30, 2017 - Elmira, CA
Readings from Marisol Baca, David Campos, Javier O. Huerta, Joseph Rios, Lee Herrick, Daniel Chacón, and Maceo Montoya.
“The Iceworker Still Sings”
February 11, 2017 - AWP Conference in Washington D.C.
From the conference description: "Andrés Montoya knew he’d win UC Irvine’s Chicano/Latino Literary Prize for poetry, which includes book publication. He didn’t know he would die before its release. He didn’t know he’d win the American Book Award and influence a generation of poets—that a national poetry book prize would be named after him. Years after his death, a second posthumous book of poems was released. This panel will talk about that book, his work, his life, and the influence he has on American poetry."
Panelists included Francisco Aragón, Daniel Chacón, Corrinne Clegg Hales, David Campos, and Maceo Montoya.
“The Ice Worker’s Legacy”
April 17, 2014 - Galería de la Raza
Mission District, San Francisco, CA
Organized by poet Joseph Rios, “The Ice Worker’s Legacy” brought together two past winners of the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize, 2012 winner, Laurie Ann Guerrero, and 2014 winner, David Campos. Montoya’s brother, Maceo, also read along with Daniel Chacón. An article about the event appeared in El Tecolote.
Release Party for in the grove: Pákatelas - An Homage to Andrés Montoya
April 10, 2008 - Artes Américas - Fresno, CA
The Fresno based journal, In the Grove, dedicated its Spring 2008 issue to Andrés Montoya’s life and work. A celebration of the journal’s release was held at Arte Américas in Fresno and was emceed by Daniel Chacón and Sasha Pimentel. Many of the contributors were in attendance and presented that evening.
Joseph Rios, a community college student at the time, wrote an article about the event for the Fresno Rampage, and In the Grove founder and editor Lee Herrick wrote about the event for Letras Latinas. Daniel Chacón wrote about the issue and event for La Bloga.