PENDLETON — The art of storytelling will be featured at the First Draft Writers’ Series on Thursday, May 18 at the Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and is offered in a hybrid format, with guests welcome to attend in person or via a Zoom connection. First Draft is free and open to the public, and complimentary snacks are provided thanks to the support of Oregon Humanities.

The evening features Rebecca Hom, a master storyteller with experience as an exhibit writer, group and classroom facilitator, columnist, public radio correspondent, interpretive naturalist and full-time mother. She’s gathered and shared stories on six continents, with groups of all kinds.

“I am drawn to stories that puzzle me, that stimulate my curiosity. I look for something that portrays the human experience in an unusual yet universal way,” she said. “My goal is that through a story performance people will leave feeling filled, connected, and comforted.”

This will mark the first time that a literary artist who focuses solely on storytelling will be featured at the PCA series, said Roberta Lavadour, executive director.

“I ask listeners to come into story, to suspend disbelief, and I promise I will bring them back safely,” Hom said.

Hom never knew she would someday be a storyteller. With a vision toward the mountains, she moved from her Iowa family farm to spend her adult life discovering the natural and cultural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. She currently lives in Walla Walla, Washington, with her husband.

More information is available by calling the Pendleton Center for the Arts at 541-278-9201 or online at PendletonArts.org.