To mark the tenth year of the Seattle Civic Poet program, the Office of Arts & Culture hosted our first-ever Seattle Civic Poet inauguration ceremony on March 25, 2025 in the City Council Chambers. Hosted in partnership with the Seattle Public Library and Seattle City of Literature, the inauguration ceremony marked the commencement… [ Keep reading ]
Join us for a video poetry exhibition curated by Seattle Civic Poet Dujie Tahat, featuring work by Seattle poets Alex Gallo-Brown, Anastacia-Reneé, Bill Carty, Gabrielle Bates, Quenton Baker, and Troy Osaki! Learn more about the show and artists below. ARTS at King Street Station is open Wed. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 5… [ Keep reading ]
Bringing poetry into policymaking SEATTLE, WA – The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) in partnership with the Office of the Mayor, Seattle Public Library, and Seattle City of Literature announces the selection of Dujie Tahat as the 2025-2026 Seattle Civic Poet. Tahat will serve as the fifth Civic… [ Keep reading ]
On Saturday, Dec. 21, over 500 community members joined us for LONGEST NIGHT, where ARTS at King Street Station was transformed to celebrate the 2024 winter solstice. Guests and families of all ages flowed freely between exhibitions, activities, and performances led by BIPOC multidisciplinary artists and Pacific Northwest filmmakers. Activities… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with the Seattle City of Literature, commissions and supports an experienced poet for a two-year residency. The Civic Poet is a cultural ambassador for Seattle’s rich, multi-hued literary landscape and represents Seattle’s diverse cultural community. The selected awardee will receive… [ Keep reading ]
Atmospheric River By Bryan Wilson (In a city where rivers float in the sky) braiding through cedars & buildings like a sentence in a poem, rivers rise as raindrops. A city, Heron-still — staring into Sound stones polishing words — storm-galoshing songs. Before long, river-rain makes watercolors of us, gathers… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle’s Little Sài Gòn by Bryna Antonia (Á Thanh) Cortes Fresh bánh baking, refrigerator hums. Red stripes through yellow, old and proud, the iconic nón lá. Jackson and 12th street trails, swinging doors gift savory winds. Bowls of soup warming you with just a scent. Markets of clamor, of every… [ Keep reading ]
For National Poetry Month 2024, Civic Poet Shin Yu Pai is launching Poetry in Place. This public poetry project includes the work of five local artists on the theme of Seattle places and sustainability at sites all across the city. The Seattle Public Libraries by Cindy Luong On hold —… [ Keep reading ]
The Visit by Kathya Alexander The sun is drooping behind her house. The bright spring day is warm and nice. The evening’s bathed in a pinkish glow. Miss Grosvenor’s voice is strong but low. “How you doing? Come take a seat.” I sit down on her wooden steps. The flowers… [ Keep reading ]
Urban Bees, Blue Hour by Joe Nasta Our honey frames weigh heavy, the second summer dahlias bloomed under gossamer sun & we vibrate softer now. We are ready for the coming chill together on our scattered rooftops. We made more than enough to share, so lick the inside of the… [ Keep reading ]
