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RENA PRIEST :
WASHINGTON STATE POET LAUREATE , EMAIL LAUREATE OF WASHINGTON , ZOOM LAUREATE OF WASHINGTON
By Karen Mobley n June I had the pleasure of interviewing Rena Priest , Washington State Poet Laureate , on a beautiful sunny day at my home on Spokane ’ s South Hill . Rena was in Spokane to read at the Global Water Dances 2021 : Voices of the River event which was held along the Spokane River . She read her poem “ Tour of the Salmonberry ” there . This poem which tells the story of the salmon berry was inspired by her grandfather who told her mother , “ Eat lots of berries so you ’ ll sing so sweet .”
Priest lives in Bellingham , Washington and travelled to Spokane for the event . Priest expects travel throughout her two-year term as Washington State Poet Laureate which began in April 2021 and continues to March 31 , 2023 . She succeeds Claudia Castro Luna . Prior to Castro Luna , Tod Marshall ( 2016-2018 ), Elizabeth Austen ( 2014 – 2016 ), Kathleen Flenniken ( 2012 – 2014 ), and Sam Green ( 2007 – 2009 ) held the position . This program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA .
54 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE