October 09, 2009
Creator of ‘postsecret’ blog to speak on campus
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Secrets. Everyone has them.
Frank Warren, the man who’s been privy to hundreds of thousands of secrets from the world over as creator of the blog www.postsecret.com and the PostSecret book series, will appear at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Oct. 28. The Student Programming Council Lectures Committee brings Warren to the Student Center Ballrooms, with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. and his presentation starting at 8 p.m.
Warren, according to his Web site, created PostSecret.com as “an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard.” Since November 2004, more than 200,000 people have sent their anonymous secrets, often featuring artwork, to Warren one postcard at a time. He’ll be sharing stories about the memorable postcards and secrets he receives, from dark family secrets to funny reflections.
Millions visit Warren’s award-winning Web site each month and the book compilations featuring the postcards are immensely popular. The National Mental Health Association presented a special award to the PostSecret project for raising awareness and funding for suicide prevention with more than $500,000 raised. Warren will discuss the importance of PostSecret and why he’s made suicide awareness and prevention part of his life’s work.
After the presentation (about 9:30 p.m.), the man dubbed “The Most Trusted Stranger in America” will meet and greet those attending and hold a book signing.
All tickets for “The Most Trusted Stranger In America: Frank Warren’s PostSecret” are free and available at the Student Center Ticket Office on the second floor of the Student Center. Students may pick up their tickets beginning Monday, Oct. 12, by presenting a valid SIUC identification card. The general public may pick up tickets beginning Oct. 19. There is a limit of two tickets per person.