Wendy S. Walters
Wendy S. Walters is the author of two books of poetry, including Troy, Michigan (Futurepoem), and a book of prose, Multiply/Divide: On the American Real and Surreal (Sarabande). In works of nonfiction and fiction, the book pursues the idea of a plurality through explorations of violence and fear. Walters writes regularly about visual culture, political geographies, climate, and race and identity. A special literary interest is the formation of perspective and the consequences of misperception.
Walters’s work has appeared recently in Harper’s Bazaar, BOMB, and The Yale Review. Past work appears in Harper’s, The Iowa Review, Lapham’s Quarterly, and others. Her next project focuses on the social and emotional implications of using white paint.
She served on the boards of NonfictioNOW and Humanities New York for several years. With Elyse Nelson, she curated the exhibition Fictions of Emancipation: Carpeaux Recast for The Met, which the Financial Times called “a masterclass in presenting complicated, troubling art.” The New York Times called it “a template that could have far-reaching applications for a critical rethinking of its permanent collection displays.” With Nelson, she edited Fictions of Emancipation Carpeaux's Why Born Enslaved! Reconsidered (Yale), a critical anthology of essays related to key themes in the show.
She is a recipient of fellowships from Creative Capital, NYFA, the Ford Foundation, Mass MoCA, Yaddo, MacDowell, Bread Loaf, and the Smithsonian Institute. Walters was born and raised in Michigan and spent summers with her grandparents in Jamaica, Queens. She earned her BA from the University of Michigan and her MFA from Cornell University. She also earned a PHD in English Literature and Language from Cornell University. Before coming to Columbia, she taught for many years at Parsons School of Design/The New School and RISD.
Multiply/Divide: On the American Real and Surreal (Sarabande Books, 2015)
News
We talk with Associate Professor Wendy Walters about the interplay between poetry and nonfiction, the art of concealing knee-deep research within a good memoir, and the crucial role of sleep in a writer’s daily routine.
Associate Professor of Writing and Director of Nonfiction Wendy S. Walters recently curated an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Soon After First Light is a series where we talk craft, process, and pandemic with Columbia's accomplished writing professors.
Visiting Associate Professor Wendy S. Walters was recently awarded the prestigious Creative Capital award, given in support of innovative and adventurous artists.