David Wade Hogue Award Winners

Please join us in celebrating the Winner and Finalists of the Second Annual David Wade Hogue Scholarship Award:

Winner: Sasha Siem
Finalists: Deborah L. Staunton & Lisa Ludden Perry
Semifinalist: Linea Jantz

As winner of the award, Ms. Siem will receive a cash prize of $500 to support her writing and a three-month mentorship with Poet Kim Noriega. Finalists Deborah Staunton and Lisa Ludden Perry will receive the opportunity to participate in one of Ms. Noriega's four-week facilitated Poetry Barn workshops (online) and semifinalist, Linea Jantz will receive the opportunity to participate in one of Ms. Noriega's self-paced, online Poetry Barn workshops. Ms. Siem will also be featured in a culmination reading at the end of the award period in 2024.

The David Wade Hogue scholarship was created in 2022 at a time when Covid 19 had taken a disproportionately high toll on mothers, particularly working mothers. The award honors Ms. Noriega's long-time friend and champion of her writing from an early age. Dave passed away from cancer in October 2021.

Called the Rocket Man Award because, as a kid, Dave loved space exploration, Ms. Noriega notes, “David Wade Hogue (Dave) and I grew up together in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and were friends for over 50 years. Even during times when our life paths diverged, we’d reconnect as if we’d never missed a beat. One of our ‘divergent path’ times was a particularly dark time in my life, one that Dave came to understand through poems I later wrote about that period of my life. He always expressed regret that he wasn’t close at hand to support me during those tough times. I can absolutely see him smiling, knowing he’s supporting other moms now."

Congratulations to all!

The Whispering Wall by Lissa Kiernan

AIM Higher's First Book Now Available in Paperback

“The Whispering Wall is alive with all five senses, plus whatever sixth sense allows us to perceive the metaphysical mysteries of life and death.”

— Kathleen Rooney, author of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

WEST HURLEY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATE—AIM Higher, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Lissa Kiernan’s "The Whispering Wall," a 126-page volume of poetry that AIM Higher’s Vice President Tina Barry calls “Magnificent, uplifting, challenging, and visceral." She adds: “Some of the themes the poet explores are: adjusting to country life after years of urban living; grief over the loss of a beloved father; a struggle with addiction; and a dilemma known to most women: how to be both an artist who is fully committed to her work and a domestic partner.”

Kiernan is the prize-winning author of two previous books, Glass Needles & Goose Quills (Haley’s, 2017) and Two Faint Lines in the Violet (Negative Capability, 2014). She earned her MFA from Stonecoast and her MA from The New School. She is the founding director of The Poetry Barn, an organization dedicated to poetry education and appreciation in New York's Hudson Valley.

Kathleen Rooney, author of the national bestselling novel Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk says The Whispering Wall is “alive with all five senses, plus whatever sixth sense allows us to perceive the metaphysical mysteries of life and death.” Judith Vollmer, author of "The Sound Boat" adds: “A witchy and sardonic wit’s at work, too, in these poems, singing with Stevie Smith and with Plath.”

The Whispering Wall won Homebound Publications’ 2020 Poetry Prize and was a semi-finalist for the Dorset Prize awarded by Tupelo Press. The title refers to the term used for the acoustical phenomenon in which whispers can be heard across large domed enclosures, such as New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Barry continues, “We believe in paying it forward. Proceeds from sales will be used to publish future releases. Additionally, each author published through AIM Higher will mentor the next on all aspects of the publishing process, including editorial, design, and publicity decisions.”

A limited-edition signed, jacketed hardcover version was previously made available in March. The paperback version can be purchased through AIM Higher, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.com.

Sol LeWitt’s Curator Janet Passehl Interviewed by AIM Higher, Inc.

Visual Artist & Poet Janet Passehl Talks About Her Job, Work, and Life

“It's a colossal job, a body of over twelve-thousand works of art made by or collected by Sol LeWitt. If we were a museum, I'd be all the departments!”

— Janet Passehl

WEST HURLEY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, June 29, 2023 — AIM Higher is pleased to announce the publication of an interview with Janet Passehl, a visual artist, author, and Sol Lewitt's long-time curator. Ms. Passehl's work has been exhibited at museums and galleries in Europe, Australia, New York, and New England. She was Sol LeWitt’s Curator for seventeen years during his lifetime and remains the curator of his private art collection.

Passehl explained, "It's a colossal job, a body of over twelve-thousand works of art made by or collected by Sol LeWitt. If we were a museum, I'd be all the departments! It was an almost unfathomable privilege to witness up close the practice of such a brilliant and successful artist and get to know his work so intimately. The job has also given me some important friendships, and directly and indirectly led to exhibition opportunities for my work."

Ms. Passehl's work is presently focused on hand-woven plain cloth works that she describes as "collaborations among material, light, space, gravity, time, duration, nuance, and attentiveness. Thread entanglements, breakages, variances in tension, the vagaries of my second-hand loom, and my own body and mind are reflected in the form, surface, and posture of the final pieces." In addition, Passehl creates hand-made single poem books that merge visual art and language and is the author of a full-length poetry collection "Clutching Lambs," published by Negative Capability Press.

Passehl's cloth works were recently featured in "Allegro/Adagio," a two-person installation at Tibaldi Arte Contemporanea in Rome, and as part of Salon Zürcher's Women of Spirit series in Manhattan. The latter, curated by Gwenolee Zurcher, takes as inspiration the 18th-century French term "Femmes d’esprit," which referred to female painters, writers, and intellectuals, routinely under-recognized by their male contemporaries and the public.

Passehl states, "Early on I felt that being female, I was released from having to hew closely to received forms and strategies espoused in a male-dominated field. I instinctively perceived my practice as aligned with that of women working in the 1960's, '70's, and early '80's whose work was highly original and self-determined." She prefers to be called an artist rather than a woman artist, however, because the latter "implies that male artists are the norm and the default. Women are a sub-group. Until women can just be referred to as artists, we won't have equality. Language is powerful."

AIM Higher Inc. recently widened its mission to include serving artists of all genders, rather than solely women artists. Executive Director Lissa Kiernan states "Though women have historically been denied the opportunities male artists have enjoyed, we ultimately did not wish to exclude anyone who could benefit from our services. It felt more radical to us to move forward and to be more inclusive, rather than look back in an attempt to settle the score or flip the script. It was synchronous that Ms. Passehl unwittingly provided validation of the revised scope of our mission just as we had decided upon it."

Passehl's job as Lewitt's curator still involves the storage, maintenance, and conservation oversight of the twelve-thousand objects, as well as facilitating loans to museum and gallery exhibitions, research by visiting curators and art historians, overseeing photography, scanning and interpreting thousands of pieces of archival material, and responding to myriad outside inquiries. She also consults on the restoration of LeWitt's works in collections around the world and gives lectures, interviews, and gallery talks.

Despite the scope of her job and her success as an artist, she says, "What's different about my definition of ambition now is that it's both more determined and mellower than when I was younger. Funny to think about now but when I was young I thought I might become an art star, which was a thing in the 80's and 90's. Now I realize that there are as many ways to have an art career as there are artists and that my career would develop through a network of warm and respectful personal relationships. I'm no longer looking for stardom so much as solid recognition. And I've learned to trust the process, both in terms of developing the work itself and in terms of career."

To read the full interview, please visithttps://aimhigher.org/blog/janet-passehl.

AIM Higher, Inc. Announces Second Annual David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship

A poetry award that benefits mothers

“Winning The Rocket Man Award is one of the great highlights of my life! I love the spirit of the prize. This award honors both the enduring resonances of friendship as well as the creativity of women.”

— Ana C.H. Silva

WEST HURLEY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES—AIM Higher, Inc. announces the second annual David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship, which will be awarded to a poet who is a mom.

The scholarship was created in 2022 at a time when Covid 19 had taken a disproportionately high toll on mothers, particularly working mothers. Thanks to ongoing support from AIM Higher Board President Kim Noriega, one scholarship will be awarded in 2023 in Dave’s honor: The Rocket Man Award.

Ms. Noriega says, “David Wade Hogue (Dave) and I grew up together in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and were friends for over 50 years. Even during times when our life paths diverged, we’d reconnect as if we’d never missed a beat. I’m counting on that pattern to hold: Dave passed away after a long battle with cancer in October 2021.”

Called the Rocket Man Award because, as a kid, Dave loved space exploration, Ms. Noriega adds that “One of our ‘divergent path’ times was a particularly dark one in my life, which Dave came to understand through poems I later wrote about that period. He always expressed regret that he wasn’t close at hand to support me during those tough times. I can absolutely see him smiling, knowing he’s supporting other moms now."

Ana C.H. Silva and Jenny Della Santa were the winners of the inaugural David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarships in 2022. Ms. Silva says, “Winning The Rocket Man Award is one of the great highlights of my life so far! I love the spirit of the prize. Honoring David Wade Hogue, and born out of an essential friendship, this award honors both the enduring resonances of friendship as well as the creativity of women.”

Ms. Della Santa notes, “Kim Noriega will pull the best work out of you. Having had her as a mentor throughThe Poetry Barn, I know her deep love of poetry, and her unique way of intuitive and creative nurturing. It compelled me to do something I never thought I'd do – apply for this opportunity. I'm humbled and grateful for having had it. Kim's mentorship has guided me through some of the most rewarding and productive work I've done.”

This year, The Rocket Man Award will consist of a three-month mentorship with Kim Noriega and a $500 cash award for artist support.

To apply for the award, please visithttp://www.aimhigher.org/awards/davidwadehogue.

AIM HIGHER, INC. ENTERS BOOK PUBLISHING

Lissa Kiernan’s Second Poetry Collection is Inaugural Title

AIM Higher, Inc. announces AIM Higher, a nonprofit press established to publish books spanning the genres of poetry, prose, art, translation, and more.

Their first title, Lissa Kiernan’s The Whispering Wall, is a 126-page volume of poetry that AIM Higher’s Vice President Tina Barry calls “Magnificent, uplifting, challenging, and visceral,” adding, “Some of the themes the poet explores are: adjusting to country life after years of urban living; grief over the loss of a beloved father; a struggle with addiction; and a dilemma known to most women: how to be both an artist who is fully committed to her work and a domestic partner.”

The title is a reference to the term used for the acoustical phenomenon in which whispers can be heard across large domed enclosures, such as in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Kathleen Rooney, author of the national bestselling novel Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk calls the book “alive with all five senses, plus whatever sixth sense allows us to perceive the metaphysical mysteries of life and death.” Judith Vollmer, author of The Sound Boat adds: “A witchy and sardonic wit’s at work, too, in these poems, singing with Stevie Smith, and with Plath.”

Barry continues, “We believe in paying it forward. Proceeds from the sale of each book will be used to publish future releases. Additionally, each author published through AIM Higher will mentor the next on aspects of the publishing process, including editorial, design, and publicity decisions.”

The Whispering Wall previously won Homebound Publications’ Poetry Prize and was a semi-finalist for the Dorset Prize, awarded by Tupelo Press to anyone writing in the English language, whether living in the United States or abroad.

A limited-edition hardcover volume is exclusively available through AIM Higher for preorder starting November 23, 2022. A paperback edition will be distributed to the trade and online retailers in Spring 2023.

ABOUT AIM HIGHER, INC.

AIM Higher, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help artists thrive by providing the opportunities and community needed to live self-sustaining creative lives and share their vision and art with the world. http://www.aimhigher.org

AIM Higher, Inc. Announces Awardees of Inaugural David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship

Two New Poetry Awards Benefit Mothers

“This scholarship fund gives substantive support—enough to make a difference in a poet’s creative life—the way Dave’s belief made a difference in mine.”

— Kim Noriega

WEST HURLEY, NY, UNITED STATES—AIM Higher, Inc. is pleased to announce the winners of the David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship. Thanks to generous gifts from AIM Higher President, Poet, and Mentor Kim Noriega and Advisory Board Member, Artist, and Poet Barbara Esmark, two scholarships—The Rocket Man Award and The Martha Award— are being awarded to poets who are mothers in Mr. Hogue’s honor in 2022. Finalists and Semi-finalists have also been selected.

The awardees of The Rocket Man Award are Ana C.H. Silva (Winner), Kristen Holt-Browning (Finalist), and Ann Tweedy (Semi-finalist). The awardees of The Martha Award are Jenny Della Santa (Winner), Janice Colman, Wendy Kagan, and Vera Sirota (Finalists), and Shana Ross (Semi-finalist).

Ms. Noriega says, “These scholarships help transmute a deep, personal sorrow into something meaningful that will carry forward. David Wade Hogue (Dave) and I grew up together in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, and were friends for over 50 years. Even during times when our life paths diverged, we’d reconnect as if we’d never missed a beat. I’m counting on that pattern to hold: Dave passed away after a long battle with cancer in October 2021.”

She continues: “Dave told me from the time I was nine or ten that I was born to write. This scholarship fund gives substantive support—enough to make a difference in a poet’s creative life—the way Dave’s belief made a difference in mine. He would love that!"

The Rocket Man Award winner receives participation in one of Ms. Noriega’s Poetry Barn workshops, a one-week Poetry Barn residency, and a $500 cash award for artist support, such as child care, books, etc. The second award, The Martha Award, is a special nod to Dave’s mom, Martha Hogue, who was a poetry lover. This award winner receives a four-month mentorship with Kim Noriega and a $500 cash award for artist support. Finalists receive participation in one of Ms. Noriega’s Poetry Barn workshops and Semi-finalists receive participation in one of her self-paced Poetry Barn workshops.

AIM Higher, Inc. Announces The David Wade Hogue Poetry Scholarship

Two poetry awards benefit struggling mothers

“As a kid, Dave loved space exploration—we grew up in the heady days of Gemini and Apollo—and he never lost that fascination.”

— Kim Noriega

WEST HURLEY, NY, UNITED STATES—Two new scholarships—The Martha Award and the Rocket Man Award—will be given this year in honor of David Wade Hogue to a poet who is a struggling mom. Mr. Hogue passed away after a long battle with cancer in October 2021. Thanks to generous gifts from AIM Higher’s Board President Kim Noriega and Advisory Board Member Bobbi Esmark, the awards come when Covid 19 has taken a disproportionately high toll on mothers, particularly single ones.

Ms. Noriega says, “David Wade Hogue (Dave) and I grew up together in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio and were friends for over 50 years. Even when our life paths diverged, we’d reconnect as if we’d never missed a beat. As a kid, Dave loved space exploration—we grew up in the heady days of Gemini and Apollo—and he never lost that fascination.”

The Rocket Man Award includes participation in one of Ms. Noriega’s Poetry Barn workshops, a one-week Poetry Barn residency, and a $500 cash stipend for artist support. The Martha Award—a special nod to Dave’s mom, Martha Hogue, who was a poetry lover—consists of a four-month mentorship with Ms. Noriega and a $500 cash endowment.

Ms. Noriega adds that “One of Dave and my 'divergent paths' was a particularly dark time in my life when I was in a violent relationship as a young mom, one that Dave came to understand through poems I later wrote about that period of my life. He always expressed regret that he wasn’t close at hand to support me during those tough times. And so, I thought he would love supporting other moms now.”

To apply for the award, please visit https://aimhigher.org/awards/davidwadehogue