The Washington State Poet Laureate program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington.
The Washington State Poet Laureate builds awareness and appreciation of poetry through public readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations. Laureates perform this work in culturally and geographically diverse communities throughout the state.
Upcoming events
Book launch: I Sing the Salmon Home
I Sing the Salmon Home is a new collection of poetry from Pacific Northwest poets, gathered by Washington State Poet Laureate and Lummi tribal member Rena Priest. The poems are all inspired by the Northwest’s iconic, beloved salmon, and were written by poets ranging from first graders to tribal elders.
To celebrate the book’s launch, join Rena and other poets featured in the anthology at in-person events in Seattle on April 8 and Olympia on April 10.
Passing of the Laurel
Join us on May 4 in Tacoma as we welcome the new Washington State Poet Laureate. Current Laureate Rena Priest will “pass the laurel” to the new Laureate. Poets from around the state will share poems that speak to our shared places and culture. The Washington State Poet Laureate program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington.
May 4, 2023
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Click here to learn more about past Washington State Poets Laureate. Scroll down for the current Laureate Rena Priest.
About Rena Priest, Washington’s current Poet Laureate
Rena Priest became the sixth Washington State Poet Laureate on April 14, 2021, and her term will run until March 31, 2023. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, Priest will be the first Indigenous poet to be the state’s Poet Laureate. Priest’s literary debut, Patriarchy Blues, was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and her most recent work is Sublime Subliminal. She succeeds Claudia Castro Luna, the previous poet laureate. Priest’s literary debut, Patriarchy Blues, was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and her most recent work is Sublime Subliminal. Priest’s work can be found in Poetry Northwest, Pontoon Poetry, Verse Daily, Poem-a-Day at Poets.org, and elsewhere.
She has taught Comparative Cultural Studies and Contemporary American Issues at Western Washington University and Native American Literature at Northwest Indian College. Priest holds a BA in English from Western Washington University and an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in Bellingham, Washington.
Each laureate puts their own unique focus on the position, and Priest focuses on two primary goals during her term: celebrating poetry in Washington’s tribal communities, and using poetry to increase appreciation of the natural world and the threats facing it.
Read Priest’s blog at wapoetlaureate.org, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Interested in hosting Rena Priest for a reading, workshop, or other event?
News and updates
Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest read “These Abundant and Generous Homelands” at the 2023 State of the State. Rena wrote the poem to the theme of ‘A More Equitable 2023’.
Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest is one of 22 Academy of American Poets Fellows.
Questions?
Britt Madsen, Grants To Organizations (GTO) Program Specialist, and ArtsWA lead for the Washington State Poet Laureate program.
Phone: 360-485-1509
Email: britt.madsen@arts.wa.gov
