I met MYSELF.

As a poet, I get the opportunity to stand in front of crowds of people-many I know, some that I don't, and I paint with words. I create illusions of peace in one poem and the peculiarity of passion in another... and in the end, I just pray that my audience leaves with a feeling of fulfillment when they leave.

There is something special about art. And even more so when talking aboutthe CREATORS of art. Through the centuries, these people have been responsible for recording the world in ways that no other type of person can, even a poet. See, visual artists leave their work up for perception and interpretation... For one person, it's onething, for another it's something else.

Being in the same place with great art and it's creators was rather intimidating, but inspiring at the same time. I knew that there was something special aboutto take place earlierthat day as i dusted off my Canon Camera and charged it's batteries. I just didn't realize that this artistic experience was going to charge mine.

Gala is not the word!

Boy! If you missed this year's Meet the Artist Gala that took place this past Saturday at the new Central Library, you really missed something. This event was more of an EXTRAVAGANZA than a mere gala. Tony Radford of the Marion County Public Libray pulled off a very classy event of poets, musicians, and vocalists that I have not seen paralleled in this city, not to mention the visual artists who had their talents displayed all over the library.

Urban Vibes set-off the evening with their tribal rhythms from the Motherland and continued to take us "home" throughout the evening. But there were some highlights to the evening that can't go without being mentioned, such as The Toy Factory. As one of Indianapolis' best, but wrongly kept secrets, they captivated the audience with some of our favorite R&B selections, but they really blew us away with their cover of Outcast's "Hey Ya".

Featured poets, Baba James R. Depp, Sr., The Great SIAM, and Supreme Poetess nSAYchacble, each blazed the stage with their powerful verses of culture, love, enlightenment, and self-discovery.

Four young men representing The Asante Children's Theatre performed several very spirited selections about Martin Luther King, Jr. in a Hip-Hop World that combined excellent vocals with powerful lyrics and dance. They took the audience to the crossroads where poetry, music, and theater all meet and frolic together.

Though I was on the main floor, I was told that RoRo the Clown was doing what he knows best - clownin' in the Children's pavilion, which is now on the third floor. I'm sure the children had great fun because RoRo wouldn't have it any other way.

The evening was highlighted by the appearance of Avery Brooks, who not only was part of the discussion panel on the importance of the Arts, but who took the initiative to graciously connect and speak with several families and children from the audience.

The grand finale was Thierry Baptiste's Haut Couture Fashion Show, which featured lots of natural hair styles, oversized neck collars, and organza, and even palm fronds in overalls. As far as I could see the Beauty of the evening was an oreo mohawked SunRae Phoenix, who performed her poem, Inner Beauty, and dazzled the audience in the show-stopper dress.

To find out more about "Meet The Artist" events, and to see the other talented artists that participated, check out the website. http://www.imcpl.org/events/meetartists/