Public Invited to Arts and Literacy Festival at Southeast Middle on March 5

Joyce Hostetter

On March 5, Southeast Middle School will hold an evening arts and literacy festival.

A highlight of the evening will be a visit by Joyce Moyer Hostetter, the author of Blue, a historical novel about a family stricken by polio during World War II while the father is off serving in the war. The story is set in Hickory, where Hostetter lives.  

The festival is open to the public from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the author visit scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Along with a presentation about polio during that time in North Carolina, Hostetter will discuss the process of getting the idea, researching and writing the book. 

Before and afterward, Hostetter will be available to sign books. 

Other activities that night include a book fair, arts and crafts show, face painting, music performances, and snack sales.  Admission is free, but you can bring money for snacks or arts purchases.  “We will also have tables with local artisans displaying their art or in some cases selling their art,” said Lisa Turner, the media coordinator at Southeast. 

Turner invited anyone who would like to display or sell their art to call the school at 703-4219 to make arrangements.

Before the festival, Hostetter will meet after school with students who have read the book to talk about the writing process. Throughout the week, the school will have a book fair.    

“Library staff and parent volunteers are holding the book fair with the proceeds used to support reading and our ‘One School—One Book’ to promote literacy and parent/community involvement in literacy,” Turner said.