Upcoming Events
Ventura: Art City Studios, Friday, Dec 4, 2026, 5pm
Book launch event for "Listening to the Light" a painting poetry collaboration with Ojai painter Brenda Mercado. 175 Dubbers Ave, Ventura CA. Free. No RSVP needed.
Ojai: Saturday December 5, 2026
Book launch event for "Listening to the Light" a painting poetry collaboration with Ojai painter Brenda Mercado. Location TBD. Free. No RSVP needed.
Santa Barbara: Wed, March 10, 2027, 5:30pm
Featured poet at Blue Whale Reading Series, with Ralph Black, 227 E. Arrellaga St, Santa Barbara CA, hosted by Christopher Buckley.
Reading, Art City Studios, Ventura 7/2/26
Featured poet at Brenda Mercado solo painting show opening, featuring Camarillo sculptor Joe Adams, with an opening blessing and song by Ojai Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie (photo credit Orlando Hernandez)
Jon read seven poems from the upcoming fine art book "Listening to the Light: Paintings by Brenda Mercado, Poems by Jon Obermeyer" forthcoming Dec. 2026
Jon also read his poem "Personal Geology" from "Salsipuedes,"
his 2017 collection of Santa Barbara poetry, scheduled for a third edition in 2027.
"A book originates from serendipity. Dwayne invited me to the "Art of Fire' show at Harvey Milk Center, SF. Inspired, I wrote the poem "Inside," based on his notes about firefighting. Two years later, 24 images and poems became this coffee table book collaboration”
"Siren Call SF" Launch Events (2019)
Pic above is Jon in tux reading his firefighter poem "Inside" to 600 people at the Palace Hotel for the SF Firefighters' Cancer Prevention Foundation "Art of Fire." gala. Book launch the next day at the Bindery on Haight with collaborator photog. Dwayne Newton, SFFD retired.
2016 launch, debut poetry book "The Reassurance of Ghosts"
What a line-up! Three accomplished NC poets.
"As Writer, I'm like a King. Everything is 'subject' to me."
Book launch/reading: "Letter from Kona" Hawaii Kai, Jan 2025
We had a great evening east of Honolulu for a debut of my Kona travel chapbook.
2020 backyard book launch: "Inflection Point: 18 Stories"
From Brian Parkin's backyard in Fair Oaks, CA . Maureen joined by Zoom from Raleigh. She's an amazing writer, especially flash fiction (see link). This was my third collection of short stories (Amazon). An outdoor launch in 94-degree heat with a mister to keep me cool out on the deck.
West End Poetry Festival, Oct 2018
Juried poetry panelist at the 13th annual West End Poetry Festival in Carrboro, NC. Four days of poetry featuring more than 50 poets. Photo: Lana Campbell.