Program Overview
The Washington State Poet Laureate serves to build awareness and appreciation of poetry — including the state’s legacy of poetry — through public readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations in geographically diverse areas of the state. The appointed poet laureate serves a two-year term.
In April 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that recognized the value of poetry to the culture and heritage of the state by establishing the Washington State Poet Laureate. The poet laureate program is funded and run by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA, with the support of Gov. Jay Inslee. Poets can either self-nominate or be nominated by a third party every two years through an application process.
About Rena Priest
Rena Priest became the sixth Washington State Poet Laureate on April 14, 2021, and her term will run until March 31, 2023.
Priest’s literary debut, Patriarchy Blues, was honored with the 2018 American Book Award, and her most recent work is Sublime Subliminal. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, she is the first Indigenous poet to assume the role. She succeeds poets Claudia Castro Luna (2018-2021), Tod Marshall (2016-2018), Elizabeth Austen (2014-2016), Kathleen Flenniken (2012–2014), and Sam Green (2007–2009). Learn more about past laureates here.
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.
Contact Rena
The form to book current Poet Laureate is closed. Our new Laureate will begin May 1. Please watch Humanities Washington and ArtWA’s websites and social media for an announcement of the new Laureate and a re-opening of the form to request a visit.
For press inquiries, click here.
The Poet Laureate program is run in partnership with:
Additional support for the Poet Laureate program provided by:
Upcoming In-Person Events
IN PERSON: Out on a Limb: Poetry in the Trees, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
The first official special event celebrating Evergreen Arboretum and Garden’s 60th anniversary is “Out on a Limb: Poetry in the Trees.” Please join us for an opening reception & poetry […]
- When
- 2:00 pm, Saturday
April 1, 2023 - Where
- Evergreen Arboretum & Garden
145 Alverson Blvd
Everett, WA 98201 United States
I Sing the Salmon Home Book Launch featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
Click here to register for this event. Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest to celebrate the launch of a new collection of poetry celebrating the salmon of the Pacific […]
- When
- 2:00 pm, Saturday
April 8, 2023 - Where
- Seattle Public Library
1000 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98104 United States
I Sing the Salmon Home Book Reading featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest to celebrate the launch of a new collection of poetry celebrating the salmon of the Pacific Northwest, I Sing the Salmon Home. For […]
- When
- 4:00 pm, Monday
April 10, 2023 - Where
- Washington State Capitol Legislative Building
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98504 United States
Breath of Our Words: Poetry and Activism with Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
Join us for an afternoon of poetry with Rena Priest, Washington’s First Indigenous Poet Laureate. Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) […]
- When
- 2:00 pm, Thursday
April 13, 2023 - Where
- Student Union Building
2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512 United States
Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for Ghost Town Poetry Open Mic at Art at the Cave. Rena Priest is the current Washington State Poet Laureate. A member of […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Thursday
April 13, 2023 - Where
- Art at the Cave
108 E Evergreen Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98660 United States
Pacific Corner Poets Open Mic featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for the Pacific Poets Corner Open Mic Night for an in-person reading at Honey Moon Mead and Cider. Rena Priest is the current […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Thursday
April 20, 2023 - Where
- Honey Moon Mead & Cider
1053 N State St Alley
Bellingham, WA 98225 United States
IN PERSON: Earth Day Orcas 2023 featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest
You must register to attend this free in-person event. Register here Join Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest for an afternoon reading of poetry, including works from the newly published […]
- When
- 3:00 pm, Saturday
April 22, 2023 - Where
- Emmanuel Episcopal Church
218-242 Main St
Eastsound, WA 98245 United States
After traveling thousands of miles across the state to bring poetry to countless communities, Rena Priest is coming to the end of her term as the Washington State Poet Laureate. […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Thursday
May 4, 2023 - Where
- Washington State History Museum Mount Tahoma Auditorium
1911 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402 United States