As part of its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, The Mint Museum will host a book launch and signing for La Fragancia del Agua / The Fragrance of Water.

The authors, Cielo Ramirez, Claudia Quijano, Patricia Atilano, Jose Vázquez, Kurma Murrain, and Irania Macias Patterson, will offer a bilingual literary program including a dramatic reading of some of the poems at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, on Wednesday, September 17, from 7-8 p.m. The reading will be followed by a book signing. The event is free and open to the public.

The Fragrance of Water is literary prose written in Spanish by six poets, translated from Spanish to English by Kurma Murrain. The work narrates the emotional journey of six poets traveling to seven turbulent worlds. This effort is a collage of voices, poetry, origins, intentions, stories, and journeys. During the voyages, they are condemned to live flesh and soul experiences that evoke the feelings of loss, love, madness, identity, inspiration, and finally, the invitation to create a new world, the life statement of each poet.

La Fragancia del Agua/ The Fragrance of Water, published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company, was originally written by the poetic group Artesanos de la Palabra and gathers the work of poets seeking a vehicle for artistic support.

More information about this and other events at mintmuseum.org/happenings.

About the authors

Cielo Ramirez was born in Colombia, studied Visual Arts in Venezuela, and was an active member of “Arte y Algo Más,” a network of international artists dedicated to promoting aspiring young artists.

Claudia Quijano-Tourn was born in Colombia and has a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the Universidad del Valle. In 2013 she received recognition for “Leadership and Creativity” from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library and The Mint Museum for co-creating the event Poesía en Vuelo.

Irania M. Patterson holds a Masters in Literature and Journalism. She was born in Venezuela. Her book Chipi Chipis, Small Shells of the Sea (CPCC Press 2006) was an International Reading Association Children’s Choice Award in 2006. Author of Wings and Dreams: The Legend of Angel Falls; 27 Views of Charlotte; Celebrating Cuentos; co-author of several books for librarians, and co-writer of the children play Mama Goose.

José Vázquez was born in Mexico and writes poetry and short stories, and is also a photographer and visual artist. He is currently recording his first poetry CD entitled What are Friends For?

Kurma Murrain was born in Colombia and graduated as Philologist from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Author of the poetry books Esta Soy (1998), and In the Prism of Your Soul (Xlibris 2014). Her work Poem Without Watercolor for Débora Arango was selected by national competition to be part of the exhibit Arte Latino Now 2014 at Queens University of Charlotte.

Patricia Atilano was born in Mexico and graduated from the University of Chapingo with a degree in Rural Sociology. While in college she founded the Creative Writing Club and the Mexican Poetry Club. Contributing writer for Prisma Magazine in Mexico City.