Open Studio: Former Kentucky Poets Laureate Frank X. Walker and Crystal Wilkinson interview each other

By Tom Musgrave

Published April 17, 2026 at 10:05 AM EDT

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Open Studio features new interviews with Kentucky literary artists to celebrate Kentucky Writers' Day April 24th in Frankfort. This week is a rare opportunity to hear one former Kentucky Poet Laureate interview another. Affrilachian poets Frank X. Walker and Crystal Wilkinson talk about their childhood influences, inspirations as well as aspirations in this in depth conversation.

Show links:

https://english.as.uky.edu/users/cwi335

https://english.as.uky.edu/users/fxw2

https://appalachiancenter.as.uky.edu/we-re-here-affrilachian-poets

https://poets.org/listing/affrilachian-poets

Kentucky Writers' Day is Friday April 24 in Frankfort:

https://artscouncil.ky.gov/kentucky-writers-day-2026/

Open Studio

Tom Musgrave

Tom Musgrave is a senior public relations writer for the University of Kentucky and editor of the daily campuswide electronic newsletter UKNow. Prior to joining the UK staff, Tom spent nine years as the Kentucky Arts Council’s communications director. In 2018 he created the arts council’s monthly podcast, Kentucky ArtsCast, serving as primary host and executive producer. Tom’s first job in state government was working for Virginia Moore at the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

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