March 25, 2002

Jose Montoya lauded by Sacramento

California State University, Sacramento professor emeritus returned from touring Europe last week to find his hometown of Sacramento had selected him as its new poet laureate. His appointment begins in April and he will serve until 2004.

Montoya is only the third person selected by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Council to serve as the city’s poet laureate. Montoya was also selected to be a juror for this year’s KVIE Art Auction, broadcast live on Channel 6, April 19 -21.

Co-laureates Viola Weinberg and CSUS professor emeritus Dennis Schmitz were the first poets named to the newly created position in 2000.

Montoya, who was an art professor at CSUS for 27 years, is an educator, painter, poet, musician and activist. He is the founder of the nationally recognized CSUS Barrio Arts program and a co-founder of the Rebel Chicano Art Front, also known as the Royal Chicano Air Force.

He has published several books of poetry and has his paintings exhibited around the world.

For more information on Montoya’s poet laureate award contact SMAC at (916) 264-5558. Media assistance is available by contacting the CSUS public affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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For further information, send an e-mail to infodesk@csus.edu or contact
public affairs at (916) 278-6156. For ticketed events, call the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323.   
 
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