Lizzie Lee Lenson oral history interview with Robert S. Cox
Description:
Oral history with UMass Amherst senior and daughter of UMass Comparative Lit. Professor David Lenson and artist Pam Glaven. (00:01:00) Growing up in an academic family. (00:03:15) Involved in poetry community, Flying Object in Hadley; published first chapbook (Theater of the Cow) with Factory Hollow Press; Guy Pettit, Dara Wier, James Tate; getting into poetry at 16-1/2 through online journals like Glitterpony. (00:06:40) Amherst High School culture; attended through school choice; transition to school; not in the "academic" clique, more into the creative kids. (00:10:40) Study in art; Hanlyn Davies encouragement; art community; ballet performance in high school. (00:14:30) Coming to college in art at UMass vs RISD largely for financial reasons; work with graduate students. (00:16:20) Growth in college and focusing academically; taking a year off to figure out what she should do, living in Beverly, Mass. (00:18:15) Majoring in comparative literature; projects and courses in the program; digital focus. (00:22:53) Applying for MFA programs in creative writing. (00:23:55) Cow obsession. (00:25:56) Work in Special Collections during undergraduate years; growth in dealing with people. (00:28:00) Learning the institution as an undergraduate; size of university and growth of campus. (00:31:00) Decision to leave art; being a learner and self-teacher; balancing lazy side with work side; creative work in music. (00:36:30) Looking back on UMass education as she is wrapping it up; appreciation for general education courses; tailoring UMass experience to her interests.
Requests to publish, redistribute, or replicate this material should be addressed to Special Collections and University Archives, UMass Amherst Libraries.
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