MONTGOMERY—Nationally renowned poet Nikky Finney will read and discuss her work during an appearance at Troy University’s Rosa Parks Museum on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Winner of the National Book Award for poetry in 2011 for her fourth book of poetry, “Head Off & Split,” Finney will read and discuss selections from that work, including “Red Velvet,” her poem about Rosa Parks.

The event starts at 6 p.m. inside the museum auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

In addition to her reading, Finney will lead a workshop for high school creative writing students from 1-3 p.m. at Booker T. Washington Magnet High in Montgomery, also on Feb. 5.

Finney will also present a reading of “Red Velvet” on Monday, Feb. 4, during the museum’s celebration of Rosa Parks’ 100th Birthday. The event will be held at 6 p.m. inside the Gold Room in Whitley Hall on the Troy University Montgomery Campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

Finney holds the Guy Davenport Chair in English at the University of Kentucky. She has authored four books of poetry: “Head Off & Split” (2011); “The World Is Round” (2003); “Rice” (1995); and “On Wings Made of Gauze” (1985). She is also editor of the anthology “The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South” (2007) and the author of a short-story collection, “Heartwood” (1997).

Finney has been featured on the cover of “Poets & Writers” magazine, Russell Simmons “DEF Poetry” (HBO series), chef Marcus Samuelsson’s feature “The Meaning of Food” (a PBS production), and National Public Radio. Finney serves on the boards of Cave Canem and the South Carolina Poetry Initiative and is a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets.

For more information on the Finney poetry reading or other upcoming events, contact museum director Georgette Norman at (334) 241-8608.