Performance poet Jean Howard participated in the original development of the internationally acclaimed “Poetry Slam.” Her poetry has appeared in Harper's Magazine, The Burning World, Spoon RiverReview, and the Chicago Tribune, among seventy other literary publications. Her book, Dancing In Your Mother's Skin (Tia Chucha Press), is a collaborative work with photographer Alice Hargrave. Howard has performed her poetry at hundreds of venues nationwide, including, the Guggenheim’s “Art of the Motorcycle Exhibit” at the Field Museum, Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, The Harold Washington Cultural Center, the Salt Lake Arts Festival, and of course the infamous Green Mill where the “Slam” began. She organized the annual National Poetry Video Festival for eight years, with her own video poems, award-winning “Nazi Youth in Brugge,” “Via Delle Cascine,” “Harley and The Hill,” and "Women Without Children," airing on PBS, cable TV, and festivals around the nation. After living in Chicago for twenty-two years, Howard has returned to her native Salt Lake City.

Jean Howard will participate in the Poetry Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 28, 3:30-4:30 pm, in the Salt Lake City Main Library, 4th Floor Conference Room. Jean Howard will direct and judge the Poetry Slam and Contest from 4:30-5:30 pm, 4th Floor Conference Room, with prizes awarded following contest.