New website dedicated to the late poet, Andrés Montoya, has been launched

 

Andrés Montoya

At the age of 31, the poet Andrés Montoya died from leukemia on May 26th, 1999. His debut collection, the ice worker sings and other poems (Bilingual Press, 1999), was awarded the 1997 Chicano/Latino Literary Prize from the University of California, Irvine. That year, the late poet Francisco X. Alarcón served as the judge. Released shortly after Montoya’s death, the collection won a Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award in 2000.

Acclaimed poet and literary critic, Rigoberto González, observed in an influential 2008 essay that “having read (and reviewed) so many worthy books of poetry written by Chicanos and Latinos, I make the following declaration very much informed by what has been written and published in the past: in this generation, the iceworker sings should be known as the finest book of poetry to come out of our community.”

Andrés Montoya’s brother, the writer, artist and professor, Maceo Montoya, has announced the launch of a new website dedicated to his late brother’s life and work: www.andresmontoyapoetry.com.

At the new website, you may find information about Andrés Montoya’s legacy and books, including the recently released posthumous collection, a jury of trees, as well as the following highlights:

A Books page that features the complete downloadable PDF of the 2008 issue of In the Grove - Pákatelas: An Homage to Andrés Montoya.

A Biography page that features photos of Andrés throughout the years as well as newspaper articles on his political activism.

A Support page where you can purchase books and artwork or donate directly to Andrés’s legacy, including the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize and scholarships given in Andrés’s memory.

The website also features an Events page where you can learn about the upcoming spring 2018 symposium, “Together We’ll Be a Song: A Celebration of Andrés Montoya,” which will be held April 13-14 at Fresno State.

Maceo Montoya noted in his announcement of the new website:

“Almost 19 years after Andrés passed away from leukemia his poetry continues to be read and studied. Help keep his memory alive by reading his books and sharing them—I also encourage you to share this website widely. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the content, purchasing books or artwork, or how you can help support Andrés’s legacy.”