In 2016, the world of poetry celebrated as Professor Dan Beachy-Quick — a luminary in the field — became a Guggenheim Fellow in Poetry. This prestigious recognition, generously endowed by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, acknowledged Beachy- Quick’s extraordinary accomplishments and highlighted his exceptional talent for creating profoundly inspiring, vibrantly dynamic, and exceptionally compelling poetry.
Fast-forwarding several years, Beachy-Quick, propelled by the impetus of his prestigious award, unfurled one of his most celebrated publications – “Variations of Dawn and Darkness.” This collection is a symphony of untitled poems, each a tapestry intricately woven with the interplay of light. They serve as guides, navigating the sun’s course and illuminating the gradual metamorphosis of surroundings, from warming to cooling, from coloring to transformative brilliance. It’s a poetic expedition through the ever-shifting landscape of light and life.
While visiting El Paso, Texas, Beachy- Quick embarked on a transformative journey, exploring the renowned Robert Irwin installation called “Untitled (Dawn to Dusk).” This extraordinary architectural masterpiece enveloped him in a visceral and profoundly aesthetic experience, igniting the flames of his creative muse. The orchestration of light through eighteen windows, configured into perfect squares, offered a compelling canvas for renewal with each radiant square. Here, Beachy- Quick found the inspiration to craft his poetry collection, seeking to mirror the building’s enchanting patterns and capture the very essence of those luminous squares.
Today, Beachy-Quick serves as the assistant chair of the Colorado State University English Department and teaches classes for the Master of Fine Arts program. His extensive contributions have earned him a trove of accolades, including the revered titles of Monfort Professor, a coveted residency with the Lannan Foundation, and an esteemed position as a Woodberry Poetry Room Creative Fellow at Harvard University.
Furthermore, he has played a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and collaboration between the sciences and the humanities by facilitating the Crisis & Creativity Work Group. This innovative initiative addresses pressing issues, most recently focusing on species extinction, and garnered support from the School of Global Environmental Sustainability.
