HALLOWELL — “The Bookey Readings at the Harlow” opens the 2016 poetry reading series with two of Maine’s poets Ted Bookey and George VanDeventer at 7 p.m. Friday, April 15, hosted by Harlow Gallery, 160 Water St. The public is invited. Refreshments are served and a $3 donation to benefit the gallery is appreciated at the door.

Both poets are long-time friends and have promoted and served the art of poetry in Maine in meaningful and impacting ways.

Bookey, a familiar name in the Augusta area and the southern Maine poetry scene, organized and ran Hallowell’s Harlow Gallery poetry series for more than 20 years. He has mentored hundreds of students through his poetry workshops at UMA through UMA’s Senior College, and always a mentor with an eye for a good poet, has given many now well-known poets their first readings at the Harlow Gallery.

VanDeventer, also a name ubiquitous to Maine poetry, volunteered with hundreds of coastal Maine youth, began what is now the Maine Poet’s Society, and was editor publisher of the poetry journal, Off The Coast for many years. Both poets are seasoned performers of spoken word that is unique and thought provoking, and who bring their voices and stories to tell with professionalism and grace.

Both of these poets in very real ways, have and still do, dedicate themselves to the teaching and promoting of poetry throughout Maine.

These two will open the 2016 poetry series at the Harlow Gallery. It promises to be one of those evenings that will be remembered for a long time.

The gallery is owned and operated by the Kennebec Valley Art Association.

The mission of the KVAA and the Harlow Gallery is to promote and celebrate art, artists and community. For more information about the Harlow Gallery or this event visit www.harlowgallery.orgor call 622-3813.