Poet Laureate

The Ellensburg Poet Laureate’s role is to enhance the presence and appreciation of poetry and the literary arts in Ellensburg. The Poet Laureate plays a crucial role in keeping the arts accessible and vital to all age groups and acts as a citywide emissary for poetry and creativity. The Poet Laureate will work with the Ellensburg Arts Commission (EAC) and other community organizations to raise awareness of poetry and the literary arts during their tenure. The Poet Laureate’s term of service is one year and is renewable annually for up to three years. 

2023 Poet Laureate

Marie Marchand


Marie Marchand is the first Poet Laureate of Ellensburg. Her poetry has been published in Crannóg Magazine, Catamaran Literary Reader, California Quarterly, Paterson Literary Review, Tiny Seed Journal, Tikkun Magazine, and The Awakenings ReviewShe has two books of poetry: Pink Sunset Luminaries (2018) and Gifts to the Attentive (Winter Goose Publishing, 2022). Her poetry has been recognized by the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, Wyoming Writers, Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest, and Eugene V. Shea Contest. Marie enjoys giving poetry readings and community workshops. Read her poetry at mishiepoet.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @mishiepoet. 

Read Marie’s poem “Witnesses of Dawn" recently published in Tikkun Magazine. The poem was composed for the Central Washington University Chamber Choir and performed at their December 2nd candlelight concert: https://www.tikkun.org/witnesses/


Photo by Sami Jo Photo.


Upcoming Poet Laureate Events

  1. Thursday, February 16 at 6 p.m.: Awakening Earth: A Community Labyrinth Celebration, at Grace Episcopal Church in Ellensburg

  2. Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m.: Women's History Month Poetry Extravaganza at Gallery One featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest and a slate of local poets reading a crown of sonnets about historical women of the Kittitas Valley

  3. Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m.: Friends of the Ellensburg Public Library Book Club Tea at the Hal Holmes Center

  4. Saturday, April 22 at 7p.m.: Poetry Reading at Village Books in Bellingham

  5. Tuesday, April 25 at 1 p.m.: Ellensburg City Poem Unveiling Ceremony at City Hall

  6. Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m.: Poetry Reading with Jampa Dorje at the Hal Holmes Community Center hosted by the Ellensburg Public Library

  7. Saturday, April 29 at 2 p.m.: Poetry Reading at C and P Coffee Company, West Seattle

  8. Saturday, May 13: Nature Poetry Walk (SAVE THE DATE & stay tuned for details)

april-is-national-poetry-month

April is National Poetry Month

City Proclamation

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