Best-selling author Michael Pollan to speak at Walton Arts Center Thursday

Michael Pollan

Photo: Alia Malley

Bestselling author Michael Pollan will speak at a special Artosphere kickoff event set for Thursday, May 3 at Walton Arts Center.

Pollan has been writing about food and nature for over 25 years, and is currently the John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism and director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

His 2001 book “The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World” became his first New York Times Bestseller. Since then, three more of his books have become bestsellers, including “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals,” “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto,” and his 2011 release, “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual.”

Pollan will discuss his work in Baum Walker Hall with Ozarks at Large producer Kyle Kellams beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Q&A session and book signing with Pollan will follow the discussion in the Walton Arts Center lobby.

Other Artosphere festivities are also planned Thursday night, including the opening of art exhibit “Structuring Nature,” and free music by April Verch and local band Three Penny Acre on Tyson Plaza.

The City of Fayetteville will offer free parking in the WAC Lot Thursday night for the performance, but patrons are encouraged to bring nuts or peanut butter to donate to local food banks in exchange for parking fees.

Tickets range from $25-$75. Call 479-443-5600 for tickets or visit waltonartscenter.org.