Title
Special Recognition - Poetry Reading from City of Olympia Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a poetry reading from City of Olympia Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a poetry reading from Olympia Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Kathleen Byrd, Olympia Poet Laureate
Background and Analysis:
Part of the work of Olympia’s Poet Laureate is to present a poem at a January City Council meeting of each year. Since appointment as Poet Laureate in July 2023, Ms. Byrd has worked to fulfill the goals of the Poet Laureate program:
• Promote poetry as an art form
• Expand access to the literary arts
• Connect the community to poetry
• Promote poetry as a community voice that contributes to a sense of place
• To address this term’s theme to utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute to thoughtful response and centering around our environment and climate change.
Since 2023, Byrd has:
• Been a featured reader at the Olympia Poetry Network
• Conducted a Climate Writing Workshop with Thurston Youth Climate Coalition
• Coordinated a collaborative event with Paintings and Poetry at the Spring 2024 Arts Walk
• Participated in the 2024 Washington Center Salon
• Conducted a poetry reading at the Fall 2024 Arts Walk
• Facilitated 5 poetry reading groups
o Fall 2023 | The Hurting Kind by Ada Limon
o Winter 2024 | Trophic Cascade by Camille Dungy
o Spring 2024 | I Sing the Salmon Home edited by Rena Priest
o Summer 2024 | Living Nations, Living Words Edited by Joy Harjo
o Fall 2024 | You are Here: Poetry of the Natural World, edited by Ada Limon
• Facilitated 5 poetry writing workshops
o Fall 2023 | Theme: Earth
o Winter 2024 | Theme: Water
o Spring 2024 |Theme: Air
o Summer 2024 |Theme: Fire
o Fall 2024 | Theme: Earth
For her final (6 month) quarter as Poet Laureate, Byrd plans two more reading and writing workshops each, a community and student exhibition at Spring 2025 Arts Walk, and an Anthology of Olympia Poets, to be celebrated at a community event at Squaxin Park this summer.
Climate Analysis:
Ms. Byrd’s appointment has been called specifically to utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute to thoughtful response and centering around our environment and climate change.
Equity Analysis:
Ms. Byrd’s poetry reading groups have highlighted the work of diverse writers on the topic of climate change, specifically the poetry of State and National Poet Laureates, or collections edited by them.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
While Ms. Byrd’s reading and writing workshops are open to all community members, she has specially reached out to youth during her tenure.
Financial Impact:
Honoraria for the Poet Laureate is $1,500 per year.
Options:
1. Receive the poetry reading from Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd
2. Do not receive the poetry treading form Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd.
3. Receive the poetry reading from Poet Laureate Kathleen Byrd at another time.
Attachments:
None