BIOGRAPHY
Lauren Zuniga is a nationally touring poet, teaching artist and emerging activist who believes in dreaming global and shouting local. In 2010, she challenged the Oklahoma legislature with an evocative video poem that received national attention and made the governor cry. Along with stunning hate mail, she was nominated for State Poet Laureate, performed at the prestigious TEDx conference and has since shared stages with top business leaders, state officials and rock stars.
She is the founder of Oklahoma Young Writers, a member of the State Art Council Touring Roster and has represented Oklahoma in 8 national poetry competitions. She is the 2012 Activist-in-Residence for the Center for Social Justice at the University of Oklahoma. She has toured from Canada to New York to Texas offering a fresh style of strong imagery and inspiring passion. Her work has been featured in several independent films, on XM radio, and in fun places like Muzzle Magazine and The Good Things About America anthology from Write Bloody Publishing. She was one of seven winners chosen for Write Bloody’s 2011 open submission competition for her second poetry collection, Smell of Good Mud, to be released in April 2012. She currently lives with her two kids in an artist collective named Clementine.
Here’s what some nice folks have said about her:
“People often mistake loud or anthemic poetry as being “for the people.” And often, these poets are rewarded for their energy, despite how topical their subject matter really is. So I thank whatever wild gods created Lauren Zuniga. Her poems are massive; brimming with the wit, heart and humanness we all crave from our leaders. Unlike so many artists, she understands her purpose. She puts her life on the line. Her poems are the quiet protesters whose existence is proof that the world can, in fact, be fixed. Think of the photograph of the man standing before a line of tanks in Tiananmen Square, and you’ll get an idea of what Zuniga’s poetry is willing to do for you.” ~ Rachel McKibbens, Author, Pink Elephant, Winner - 2009 Women of the World Poetry Slam
“Lauren Zuniga’s words will have you walking along the road to a brilliant green church with pulsing lights inside. When you step into the church, there are feathers and prayer beads and washboard breakbeats and a high priestess telling you how beautiful you are. Even on your worst hair days. Especially on your worst hair days. Her poems are so full of under-the-surface yes and come-as-you-are that you understand the word nirvana in fourteen new ways. She is an edutainer, an elevator straight to the penthouse, a miracle pitcher pouring out the best in you. Woman and mother and human and constant student, Lauren’s church of verse has a sign that plugs directly into her heart: ALWAYS OPEN.” ~Rob Sturma, author, Miles of Hallelujah
”Lauren Zuniga’s work explores the delicious nuances of things unseen, ignored, and overlooked. Her work is exquisite, precise, boundless and soul-shaking.” ~Dane Kuttler, Seattle, WA
”Lauren Zuniga’s poetry is a whirlwind of imagery that strips the soul to its most vulnerable point and rebuilds it with beauty.” ~ Ian D. Co-founder Denver Mercury Poetry Slam
“There is a certain light to Lauren’s work that is composed of a million fibers – even ones that you wouldn’t expect to be radiant. There is a weight in the vibrancy. Every time I read her work, I feel I’ve taken a lesson in breathing. I cannot help but to whisper to myself ‘Ah shit, and to think I had been breathing for all these years’ “ ~Sarah Morgan, author, Animal Ballistics
