Poet Laureate of St. Catharines
The Poet Laureate of St. Catharines is an honorary position that celebrates the power of poetry to reflect community identity, mark civic moments, and deepen public engagement with the literary arts.
Serving as a cultural ambassador for the city, the Poet Laureate creates original works inspired by St. Catharines’ people, places, and stories. Through public readings, community collaborations, and participation in civic and cultural events, the Poet Laureate helps make poetry accessible, relevant, and visible in everyday civic life.
The role supports the City’s commitment to arts and culture as vital to community well-being, creative expression, and shared understanding—amplifying diverse voices and contributing to a living cultural legacy for St. Catharines.
2026 Inaugural Poet Laureate: Shannon Kitchings
Poet Laureate Shannon Kitchings will serve as an artistic ambassador for the City in 2026, using poetry to engage residents, celebrate civic pride, and enrich public life through readings, special initiatives, and cultural events connected to the history and culture of St. Catharines, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the City's incorporation.
Shannon Kitchings is a poet, artist, and community cultural worker whose practice is rooted in connection, reflection, and place. Her work explores themes of memory, resilience, belonging, and the everyday moments that shape personal and collective identity.
A long-time resident of St. Catharines, Shannon brings a deep appreciation for the city’s neighbourhoods, natural landscapes, and diverse communities. Her poetry often draws from lived experience and close observation, inviting readers and listeners to slow down and consider the emotional and social layers of the world around them.
“Poetry is the core of my work, but there have been so many beautiful moments of multi-disciplinary creation. To celebrate poetry in St. Catharines, I would love to create or co-create a visual legacy piece in the form of a mural or art installation that commemorates the history of St. Catharines through poetry,” said Kitchings regarding her plans for the position. “I envision a short film using poetry as the narration to explore aspects of St. Catharines’ unique identity. My practice already includes movement and music and visual arts as framing for poems. I envision continuing to share poetry that includes singing, dance, and printmaking in live events I attend as Poet Laureate.”
Kitchings was selected by a committee of local literary artists, following a competitive open call to the community in December.
To contact the Poet Laureate, please reach out to culture@stcatharines.ca