Justin Spring

Justin Spring resides in Sarasota, Florida. His poems have been published in such distinguished periodicals as American Poetry Review, Passages North, Organica, San Jose Studies, and Bellingham Review as well as numerous anthologies. A chapbook, OTHER DANCERS, was published in 1991 by March St. Press, and a second, POLAROID POEMS, was published in 1995 by White Eagle Coffee Store Press. He is the author of the nonfiction book, SOULSPEAK: The Outward Journey of the Soul.

Mr. Spring is also the founder of SOULSPEAK/Sarasota Poetry Theatre (of which he is President), and co-founder of MANY VOICES, a recording group. Mr. Spring is the co-originator of SOULSPEAK, a contemporary version of ancient oral, antiphonal poetry. His oral poetry, called SPEAKINGS, is featured on several MANY VOICES albums.

Mr. Spring was educated at Columbia College where he received a B.A. in mathematics.

Honors

Finalist, 1987 State St. Contest
First Prize, 1987 Published Poet, U. of Florida
Finalist, 1989 FCCJ National Poetry Contest
1993 Homer Award for Spoken Poetry
Finalist, 1994 Walt Whitman National Contest (Academy of American Poets)
Poetica 1995 Hall of Fame Award
Honorable Mention, 1995 Billie Murray Denny National Poetry Contest
Finalist, 1995 Carnagie-Mellon Poetry Series
First Prize, 1995 White Eagle Coffee Store Press Chapbook Contest
Finalist, 1995 Akron Poetry Prize
Finalist, 1996 Akron Poetry Prize
Finalist, 1997 Walt Whitman National Contest (Academy of American Poets)
Third Prize, 1997 Billie Murray Denny National Poetry Contest
Finalist, 1997 Akron Poetry Prize
First Prize, 1998 Chester H. Jones National Poetry Competition
Individual Artist Fellowship, 1998, State of Florida DCA

Books

SOULSPEAK: The Outward Journey of the Soul (nonfiction), Sarasota Poetry Theatre Press, 2001
OTHER DANCERS Chapbook, March Street Press Chapbook Prize Stonecutter Series, 1991
POLAROID POEMS: Chapbook, Winner 1995 White Eagle Coffee Store Press Contest
ANTHOLOGIES: Signs of Life Anthology, Florida in Poetry Anthology

RECORDINGS

GATHERING, 1997, MANY VOICES
SMOKE, 1998, MANY VOICES
SPEAKINGS, 1999, MANY VOICES
NURSERY RAPS, 1999, MANY VOICES
IN YOUR MIND, 2000, MANY VOICES

Publications

Passages North, American Poetry Review, Organica, Tampa Bay Review, RE:AL, Bellingham Review, Earthwise, Directions, San Jose Studies, Wascana Review, Studies in Contemporary Satire, Turnstile, Sarasota Arts Review, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Signs of Life Anthology, Alms House Sampler, Visions International, Florida in Poetry Anthology Chester H. Jones Chester H. Jones Anthology, B.M. Denny Anthology.

Grants Received

1995 - 1997 Grants supporting The SOULSPEAK Program, of which JUSTIN SPRING was one of the two principal poets involved.
Community Foundation of Sarasota
Venice Foundation
Sarasota County Tourist Development Council
Bates Foundation
Beattie Foundation
Selby Partnership Fund
Woman's Exchange
Sarasota County Foundation
Selby Foundation
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Kates Foundation
Knight Foundation
Bank of America Community Foundation/Sarasota
State of FLorida Interdisciplinary
State of Florida Arts in Education
VSA Arts

Other

Essays -- SOULSPEAK - Some Thoughts on Poetry as Spoken Language Sarasota Arts Review Vol. 5, I 9
SPEAKING POETRY - Sarasota Arts Review Vol. 4, I 10
Contributor -- 1988 Breadloaf Writers Conference
Featured Poet -- Jan 4, 1990 - Jones Intercable TV: A WALK TO THE HORIZON
Featured Poet -- Jan 28, 1992, WQSA radio.
April 23, 1993, WMNF Radio; ART IN YOUR EAR
Theatre poems featured in the Florida Studio Theatre Dramatic Presentation "Words, Loves, Lies" March 3, 1991

Founder

SOULSPEAK/SARASOTA POETRY THEATRE - founded 1992, dedicated to spoken and performance poetry, featuring local and nationally known poets, actors and composer/musicians in original presentations of classic and contemporary poetry.

Workshops

SOULSPEAK WORKSHOP - a continuing national workshop on SOULSPEAK, a contemporary version of ancient, oral, antiphonal poetry. Workshops are conducted for the general public, poets, at-risk children and adults in therapy.

Selected Readings And Performances

Amherst, Bard, Sarah Lawrence, Bennington,UMass, Dartmouth, St Peters College, College of the Holy Cross, USF, Manatee Community College, Ringling School of Arts, Longboat Key Education Center, MCC Venice Campus, Nicholls State University (LA), St. Peters College (NJ), Nuyorican Cafe (NYC), Fifteen Minute Club (Wash DC), SA Austin University (Texas), Prew Academy, New College/USF, Eckerd College, Burns Court Cinema, Project Black Cinema, Ulster Community College, Salem College.