The Fairbanks Library Foundation is set to present Alaska Author Night featuring Dena’ina poet Annie Wenstrup on September 17, 2023, at 18:00 in the TOTE Auditorium of the Noel Wien Library. Wenstrup will showcase her debut poetry collection, The Museum of Unnatural Histories, which was published in March by Wesleyan University Press.
Wenstrup’s collection delves into personal narratives, contextualizing them within an imagined museum that reflects the complex histories of an Alaska Native individual. The poems address themes of unresolved colonial violence, intertwining lived experiences with broader historical contexts. This innovative approach has garnered significant attention in the literary community.
The event will feature a reading by Wenstrup, followed by an audience Q&A session and a book signing. Attendees can enjoy light refreshments, and books will be available for purchase on-site. This free event is designed to engage the community and celebrate the work of Indigenous poets.
An accomplished poet, Wenstrup has received several prestigious accolades, including the 2025 Whiting Award in Poetry and the New England Review Emerging Writer’s Award. She was also recognized as the 2024 Stephen Donadio Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Scholar. Her poetry has been featured in notable publications such as Alaska Quarterly Review, Ecotone, and Poetry.
Residing in Fairbanks, Wenstrup serves as a coordinator for Indigenous Nations Poets, furthering her commitment to promoting Indigenous voices in literature. This event aims to highlight her contributions to poetry and her unique perspective as an Alaska Native artist.
For more details about Alaska Author Night and other library events, visit the Fairbanks Library Foundation’s website at thelibraryfoundation.org/library-events.