Walt Curtis collection

Collection

Identifier: OLPb181CUR

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of Curtis’s correspondence, poems, articles, books, and a documentary film; contains his correspondence with Poet William Stafford and current Oregon Poet laureate, Kim Stafford; also includes three of his books, “Mala Noche” (1997), “A to Z” (2011), and “Rhymes for Alice Bluelight” (1984); contains copies of poems by Curtis; contains newspaper articles written by Curtis; includes the documentary film he narrated, “Salmon Poet” (2009), and a recording of the KBOO radio program “The Talking Earth” by Kim Stafford and Matthew Dickman.

Dates

Creation: 1971 - 2013

Creator

Curtis, Walt (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical

Walt Curtis is a Portland, Oregon based poet, novelist, actor and painter. He was born on July 4, 1941 in Olympia, Washington. Gus van Sant’s debut film, “Mala Noche” is based on Curtis’s autobiographical novel of the same name. He co-founded the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission. In 2010, Portland Mayor Sam Adams declared July 1–7, 2010 "Walt Curtis Week,” in his honor.