Ghanaian musician, book featured in discussion led by CSB alumna

Mary Hark, CSB class of 1978, will present the story of Take Time Press in Kumasi, Ghana, and its first publication, Listen, Listen - Adadam Agofomma,  at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6 in the Colman Theater of the Benedicta Arts Center, College of Saint Benedict.

Take Time Press celebrates the unique culture of the Asante region of Ghana and supports international collaboration among artists. Hark is an assistant professor of art at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, textile artist, papermaker and one of the four founders of Take Time Press.

The book honors the legacy of Koo Nimo, a Ghanaian musician, who will be in attendance at the event. While inspired by a variety of musical styles, including classical and jazz, Koo Nimo and his music group, Adadam Agofomma (Roots Ensemble), are celebrated for preserving Ghana's palm wine music tradition (acoustic guitar highlife and folklore).

The evening will include a showing of the book, acquired by Clemens Library and one of only 50 limited-edition copies. It is a fine-press collection encased in a handcrafted clam-shell box containing letterpress-printed pamphlets; a special CD of Koo Nimo's music plus a digital slideshow of session photos and several intaglio and relief prints. Hark will lead a discussion about the book and how it was created. Koo Nimo will share stories and songs that celebrate Asante culture.

"I think the melding of so many elements is what makes it interesting, along with the local connection," said Mark Conway, executive director of the Literary Arts Institute. "Our alumna, Mary Hark, is from St. Cloud and she has helped bring so many things back here."

This event, sponsored by the CSB Literary Arts Institute and Clemens Library, is free and open to the public. Koo Nimo's visit to CSB will be followed by a residency and concert Dec. 8 -11 at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn.