November 26, 2022, 7:00 pm

The Madrona Project Reading series: Live Poetry at Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse

Where:
Pelican Bay Books & Coffeehouse
520 Commercial Ave Anacortes, WA 98221 United States

Join us for a poetry reading by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest of the Lummi tribe, and Richard Walker of the Yaqui Nation. Richard will be accompanied by Peter Ali, Native American Flutist.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

November 18, 2022, 6:30 pm

RESCHEDULED: IN PERSON: Reading with Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Friends of Winthrop Library

Where:
Winthrop Public Library
112 Norfolk Rd Winthrop, WA 98862 United States

This event has been cancelled for November 2022 and is in the process of being rescheduled for March 2023.We apologize for the inconvenience.

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a poetry reading presented by Friends of Winthrop Public Library in the Community Room. Reserve your spot for this free in-person reading here.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

November 12, 2022, 5:30 pm

ONLINE: A Free Evening of Poetry with Rena Priest

Host:
North Cascades Institute
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join us online for a FREE poetry reading with Washington State’s Poet Laureate Rena Priest, the first Indigenous Poet Laureate of our Evergreen State.

In her poems you will find multiple perspectives, a full suite of linguistic skills, and an incredible blend of wit, sentiment, perceptivity and boldness. Hearing her work read aloud offers insights into our relationship with the natural world, compassion with the human experience, humorous takes on life and her perspective as a member of Lummi Nation.

For this special engagement, in addition to hearing Priest’s poetry, we will be treated to a short workshop on the possibilities that poetry opens up. You are encouraged to follow along at home – you never know what might happen! We will finish the evening with some time for questions.

We are honored to be collaborating with Priest on what will be a rich and thought-provoking evening.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

November 12, 2022, 5:30 pm

ONLINE: A Free Evening of Poetry with Rena Priest

Host:
North Cascades Institute
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join us online for a FREE poetry reading with Washington State’s Poet Laureate Rena Priest, the first Indigenous Poet Laureate of our Evergreen State.

In her poems you will find multiple perspectives, a full suite of linguistic skills, and an incredible blend of wit, sentiment, perceptivity and boldness. Hearing her work read aloud offers insights into our relationship with the natural world, compassion with the human experience, humorous takes on life and her perspective as a member of Lummi Nation.

For this special engagement, in addition to hearing Priest’s poetry, we will be treated to a short workshop on the possibilities that poetry opens up. You are encouraged to follow along at home – you never know what might happen! We will finish the evening with some time for questions.

We are honored to be collaborating with Priest on what will be a rich and thought-provoking evening.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 21, 2022, 6:00 pm

Event with the Washington State Poet Laureate

Host:
Humanities Washington

Where:
Riverside Place
1110 W Riverside Ave Spokane, WA 99201 United States

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 20, 2022, 6:30 pm

Poetry Reading with Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Asotin County Library
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for an online poetry reading.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 20, 2022, 6:30 pm

Poetry Reading with Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Asotin County Library
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for an online poetry reading.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 20, 2022, 6:30 pm

Poetry Reading with Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Asotin County Library
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for an online poetry reading.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 19, 2022, 6:00 pm

Broken Mic Poetry Reading, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Broken Mic

Where:
Neato Burrito
827 W 1st Spokane, WA 99201 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a reading and open mic. Broken Mic is Spokane’s longest running independent open mic established in 2011 by former Spokane Poet Laureate Mark Anderson. While this is an all-ages venue, Broken Mic is a free speech event so audience discretion is advised

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 19, 2022, 6:00 pm

Broken Mic Poetry Reading, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Broken Mic

Where:
Neato Burrito
827 W 1st Spokane, WA 99201 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a reading and open mic. Broken Mic is Spokane’s longest running independent open mic established in 2011 by former Spokane Poet Laureate Mark Anderson. While this is an all-ages venue, Broken Mic is a free speech event so audience discretion is advised

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 19, 2022, 6:00 pm

Broken Mic Poetry Reading, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Broken Mic

Where:
Neato Burrito
827 W 1st Spokane, WA 99201 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a reading and open mic. Broken Mic is Spokane’s longest running independent open mic established in 2011 by former Spokane Poet Laureate Mark Anderson. While this is an all-ages venue, Broken Mic is a free speech event so audience discretion is advised

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 18, 2022, 6:00 pm

ONLINE: Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writers Fellow: Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
University of Washington Libraries
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join us online for an evening with Rena Priest, our Washington State Poet Laureate! University of Washington Libraries is proud to host her as the Maxine Cushing Grey Distinguished Writers Fellow this year. An enrolled member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, Priest is the first Indigenous person to receive the Maxine Cushing Gray Visiting Writers Fellowship.

Rena Priest will share a reading followed by a conversation with UW Tacoma professor Danica Miller (Puyallup), with an opportunity for audience questions afterward. The emcee for the event will be Annie Downey and the discussion moderator will be Anne Jenner, ’93, both from University Libraries.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

October 18, 2022, 6:00 pm

ONLINE: Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writers Fellow: Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
University of Washington Libraries
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join us online for an evening with Rena Priest, our Washington State Poet Laureate! University of Washington Libraries is proud to host her as the Maxine Cushing Grey Distinguished Writers Fellow this year. An enrolled member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, Priest is the first Indigenous person to receive the Maxine Cushing Gray Visiting Writers Fellowship.

Rena Priest will share a reading followed by a conversation with UW Tacoma professor Danica Miller (Puyallup), with an opportunity for audience questions afterward. The emcee for the event will be Annie Downey and the discussion moderator will be Anne Jenner, ’93, both from University Libraries.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 22, 2022, 5:00 pm

A Writing Workshop: How to Catch a Salmon Poem, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Lummi Library at Northwest Indian College

Where:
Lummi Library at Northwest Indian College
2522 Kwina Rd Bellingham, WA 98226 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a generative poetry workshop called “How to Catch a Salmon Poem.” Participants will receive a packet of salmon poems, hear other salmon-related poetry, and respond to a series of prompts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a fresh catch of ideas to help reel in new salmon poems of their own. This workshop is free and open to everyone

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 18, 2022, 6:00 pm

LiTFUSE UNiTE! Faculty/Scholar Reading featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Tieton Arts and Humanities
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a poetry reading by the LiTFUSE UNiTE! Poet’s Workshop faculty and their nominated scholar. This event will also feature readings by Kim Addonizio, Taneum Bambrick, Gabrielle Bates, Xavier Cavazos, Kristin Berger, Luther Hughes, Kathryn Hunt, Robert Lashley, Brooke Matson, Mathias Svalina, Matt Trease, Aileen Keown Vaux, and Gary Copeland Lilley.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 18, 2022, 6:00 pm

LiTFUSE UNiTE! Faculty/Scholar Reading featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Tieton Arts and Humanities
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a poetry reading by the LiTFUSE UNiTE! Poet’s Workshop faculty and their nominated scholar. This event will also feature readings by Kim Addonizio, Taneum Bambrick, Gabrielle Bates, Xavier Cavazos, Kristin Berger, Luther Hughes, Kathryn Hunt, Robert Lashley, Brooke Matson, Mathias Svalina, Matt Trease, Aileen Keown Vaux, and Gary Copeland Lilley.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 18, 2022, 6:00 pm

LiTFUSE UNiTE! Faculty/Scholar Reading featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Tieton Arts and Humanities
Online Poet Laureate Event

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a poetry reading by the LiTFUSE UNiTE! Poet’s Workshop faculty and their nominated scholar. This event will also feature readings by Kim Addonizio, Taneum Bambrick, Gabrielle Bates, Xavier Cavazos, Kristin Berger, Luther Hughes, Kathryn Hunt, Robert Lashley, Brooke Matson, Mathias Svalina, Matt Trease, Aileen Keown Vaux, and Gary Copeland Lilley.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 18, 2022, 3:00 pm

A Writing Workshop: How to Catch a Salmon Poem, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Elhwa Klallam Heritage Center

Where:
Elhwa Klallam Heritage Center
401 E 1st St Port Angeles, WA 98362 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a generative poetry workshop called “How to Catch a Salmon Poem.” Participants will receive a packet of salmon poems, hear other salmon-related poetry, and respond to a series of prompts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a fresh catch of ideas to help reel in new salmon poems of their own. This workshop is free and open to everyone

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 17, 2022, 10:00 am

Bellingham SeaFeast, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Bellingham SeaFeast

Where:
Squalicum Marina and Boathouse
2600 Harbor Loop Bellingham, WA 98225 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for the opening of Bellingham SeaFeast 2022. Bellingham SeaFeast is a waterfront and seafood festival in Bellingham, Washington. Celebrate our rich maritime culture and heritage, thriving working waterfront, enjoyment and conservation of our water resources, commercial fishing and seafood industries, and the culinary bounty of our corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 16, 2022, 6:00 pm

Reading in Celebration of Salmon by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Chimacum School District

Where:
Finnriver Farm
124 Center Rd Chimacum, WA 98325 United States

Join us for a public reading by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest in celebration of salmon. Priest, our current Poet Laureate and member of the Lummi nation, will share her poems and a preview of her salmon anthology project, which will be published by Empty Bowl Press in Chimacum. This event is co-sponsored by Humanities WA, Washington State Arts Commission, Empty Bowl Press and The Chimacum Center. The reading will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Hay Barn at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 16, 2022, 6:00 pm

Reading in Celebration of Salmon by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Chimacum School District

Where:
Finnriver Farm
124 Center Rd Chimacum, WA 98325 United States

Join us for a public reading by Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest in celebration of salmon. Priest, our current Poet Laureate and member of the Lummi nation, will share her poems and a preview of her salmon anthology project, which will be published by Empty Bowl Press in Chimacum. This event is co-sponsored by Humanities WA, Washington State Arts Commission, Empty Bowl Press and The Chimacum Center. The reading will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Hay Barn at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum.

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 15, 2022, 5:00 pm

A Writing Workshop: How to Catch a Salmon Poem, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Suquamish Museum

Where:
Suquamish Museum
6861 NE South St Suquamish, WA 98392 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a generative poetry workshop called “How to Catch a Salmon Poem.” Participants will receive a packet of salmon poems, hear other salmon-related poetry, and respond to a series of prompts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a fresh catch of ideas to help reel in new salmon poems of their own. This workshop is free and open to everyone

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 3, 2022, 7:30 pm

Reading & Workshop: Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation

Where:
Lincoln Theatre
712 S 1st St Mount Vernon, WA 98273 United States

This event is free and open to all.

Please welcome Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest to the Historic Lincoln Theatre! On Saturday, September 3, Priest will be reading a selection of her works, followed by a generative poetry workshop with audience participation (please consider bringing your own notebook and writing utensil to this event).

Much of the evening will be centered around the subject of salmon, and its cultural impact on the peoples of the Salish region. As Priest explains, “salmon are sacred to my tribe, the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. We celebrate them in ceremony and song, and they have long been central to our Sche’le’ngen, our way of life. By celebrating salmon through poetry in every corner of the state, I hope to raise goodwill and a feeling of reverence for the salmon, a feeling that my people have felt since time immemorial.”

Rena Priest is a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. She is the incumbent Washington State Poet Laureate and Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writing Fellow. Priest is also the recipient of an Allied Arts Foundation Professional Poets Award and fellowships from The Academy of American Poets, Indigenous Nations Poets, and the Vadon Foundation.

Her debut collection, Patriarchy Blues, received an American Book Award. Her second collection, Sublime Subliminal, was published as the finalist for the Floating Bridge Press Chapbook Award. Her most recent book, Northwest Know-How: Beaches, includes poems, legends, and descriptions of beaches in Washington and Oregon.

Priest’s nonfiction has appeared in High Country News, YES! Magazine, Seattle Met, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.

Sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Washington State Arts Commission. Co-sponsored by Skagit River Poetry Foundation, Skagit Land Trust, and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. Special thanks to Easton’s Books.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 3, 2022, 7:30 pm

Reading & Workshop: Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation

Where:
Lincoln Theatre
712 S 1st St Mount Vernon, WA 98273 United States

This event is free and open to all.

Please welcome Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest to the Historic Lincoln Theatre! On Saturday, September 3, Priest will be reading a selection of her works, followed by a generative poetry workshop with audience participation (please consider bringing your own notebook and writing utensil to this event).

Much of the evening will be centered around the subject of salmon, and its cultural impact on the peoples of the Salish region. As Priest explains, “salmon are sacred to my tribe, the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. We celebrate them in ceremony and song, and they have long been central to our Sche’le’ngen, our way of life. By celebrating salmon through poetry in every corner of the state, I hope to raise goodwill and a feeling of reverence for the salmon, a feeling that my people have felt since time immemorial.”

Rena Priest is a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. She is the incumbent Washington State Poet Laureate and Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writing Fellow. Priest is also the recipient of an Allied Arts Foundation Professional Poets Award and fellowships from The Academy of American Poets, Indigenous Nations Poets, and the Vadon Foundation.

Her debut collection, Patriarchy Blues, received an American Book Award. Her second collection, Sublime Subliminal, was published as the finalist for the Floating Bridge Press Chapbook Award. Her most recent book, Northwest Know-How: Beaches, includes poems, legends, and descriptions of beaches in Washington and Oregon.

Priest’s nonfiction has appeared in High Country News, YES! Magazine, Seattle Met, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.

Sponsored by Humanities Washington and the Washington State Arts Commission. Co-sponsored by Skagit River Poetry Foundation, Skagit Land Trust, and Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. Special thanks to Easton’s Books.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed

September 3, 2022, 1:00 pm

A Writing Workshop: How to Catch a Salmon Poem, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest

Host:
Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve

Where:
Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve
6410 23rd Ave NE Tulalip, WA 98271 United States

Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for a generative poetry workshop called “How to Catch a Salmon Poem.” Participants will receive a packet of salmon poems, hear other salmon-related poetry, and respond to a series of prompts. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a fresh catch of ideas to help reel in new salmon poems of their own. This workshop is free and open to everyone

Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the author of Patriarchy Blues, which was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and the recent Sublime Subliminal.

The Poet Laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and The Washington State Arts Commission/ArtsWA, with the support of Governor Jay Inslee. See the full website of the Poet Laureate here.

Poet Laureate events are produced by the hosting organization.

Registration for this event is closed