Moorpark College is home to many bright up-and-coming artists and this month will give students a chance to see one shine.

“The Read,” a series of ongoing poetry readings, will have its first recital on Feb. 10.

Guest poet Brendan Constantine will perform some of his original free verse compositions while accompanied by Moorpark Colleges’ own Shae Sveniker. As Constantine reads, Sveniker will paint in any way the poetry inspires him.

The reading will mark the first time in the series that live poetry and art come together in this unique setting.

Constantine is widely considered one of the top poets in the state of California. Sveniker will be painting on canvas using a variety of tools including anything from brushes and rollers to less conventional items like shoelaces and finger-paint.

This is the first time that a reading like this will be happening here at Moorpark, and event-coordinator, Sandra Hunter is already thinking of ways to expand and hold more innovative readings in the near future.

“This semester we’re really hoping to spread our wings further,” Hunter said.

Books of Constantine’s poetry will be available for purchase at “The Read” in the Technology Building, room 105 at 5:30pm

Students interested in participating in future readings can attend bi-monthly workshops that are held every other Wednesday in LLR 318 at 4pm.