Dr. Christina Jarvis
Department of English Professor Christina Jarvis shared Kurt Vonnegut’s social justice and environmental legacies with new audiences during the summer months.
At the same time, she also strengthened her collaborations with artists and other Vonnegut scholars.
Dr. Jarvis kicked off her series of “peculiar travel suggestions” with a return to Bloomington, IN, in early June for the 2024 Granfalloon, a week-long artistic, music and literary festival inspired by the ideas and ideals Hoosier icon Kurt Vonnegut. Jarvis delivered the lecture “Vicuna Bonfires and RAMJAC Saints: Writing for Justice in ‘Jailbird’,” partially based on her extensive study of Vonnegut’s manuscripts at the Lilly Library.
Not only did I get to meet Nanette Vonnegut, an exceptional artist and writer in her own right, but I was able to talk about her father’s writing career with someone who had a front-row seat for his creation process.” Dr. Christina Jarvis
Following her presentation, Jarvis co-led the Granfalloon book discussion of “Jailbird” with Bob Bledsoe, director of Indiana University Writers’ Conference, and Chris Lafave, curator of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library.
Jarvis was thrilled to participate in this year’s Granfalloon events, which featured a keynote by legendary journalist Carl Bernstein, an exhibit and artist talk by Nanette Vonnegut, a presentation by journalist and homeless advocate Pat Lamarche and performances by femme-fronted punk-rock bands Sleater-Kinney and The Linda Lindas.
She was especially excited to join Nanette Vonnegut on Indiana Public Radio’s “Noon Edition” to discuss Kurt Vonnegut’s life and legacy.
“Not only did I get to meet Nanette Vonnegut, an exceptional artist and writer in her own right, but I was able to talk about her father’s writing career with someone who had a front-row seat for his creation process,” Jarvis said.
Channeling Kurt Vonnegut’s favorite Uncle Alex, Jarvis added, “now if that wasn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”
Another highlight for Jarvis was speaking to a large, enthusiastic audience of mostly Vonnegut fans at Chautauqua Institution’s Hall of Philosophy in July. As part of the Oliver Archives Center’s 2024 Heritage Lecture Series celebrating Chautauqua’s history and its 150th anniversary, Jarvis presented “Kurt Vonnegut Unstuck in Time: His Chautauqua Lectures & Planetary Citizenship.”
Focusing on his July 1989 Chautauqua Institution residency, Jarvis placed Vonnegut’s key environmental, social justice and civic engagement messages within the context of his life and career. “It was such a joy to speak to so many Vonnegut fans and to answer their thoughtful questions both during my talk and the post-event book signing,” Jarvis stated.
Jarvis is also looking forward to some exciting upcoming events.
In late September, Seven Stories Press will release a paperback edition of her pathbreaking book “Lucky Mud & Other Foma: A Field Guide to Kurt Vonnegut’s Environmentalism and Planetary Citizenship.”
Her yearslong collaborations with internationally acclaimed sculptor Keith Andrews will culminate in new programming related to the VonnegAltar, which was recently installed at the Gayle Karch Cook Center for Public Arts & Humanities. The sculpture, which features three levels of intricately crafted figures, publicly commemorates the Hoosier icon’s life, legacy and continued relevance, and aims to inspire new generations of readers.
To listen to Jarvis’s June 7 WFIU interview with Nanette Vonnegut and members of the Young@Heart Chorus, visit
To see images and learn more about the VonnegAltar, visit
