News Release
New HRM Poet Laureate Named
(Monday, May 30/2005)-- Mayor Peter Kelly is pleased to introduce Halifax Regional Municipality’s second Poet Laureate, Lorri Neilsen Glenn.
Lorri officially took the reins from inaugural Poet Laureate Sue MacLeod on April 29, 2005 at the Atlantic Book Awards event in Dartmouth.
Mayor Kelly said, "HRM is endowed with many outstanding artists, and Lorri Neilsen Glenn epitomises that talent. We are excited to have Lorri as a skilful, knowledgeable and engaging poet representing us in this official position."
Ms. Neilson Glenn will serve a four-year term of office as Poet Laureate. A resident poet, she will serve as an ambassador and advocate for literacy, literature and the arts, and will reflect the vitality of our community through appearances and readings of poetry at certain civic events and other activities.
Lorri Neilsen Glenn is the author and editor of seven books, including All the Perfect Disguises. Currently, she is completing another poetry manuscript, researching the role of place in contemporary Canadian women’s poetry, and writing a collection of essays on grief and loss. Her poetry has won awards and nominations from foundations and literary journals. She was one of the 19 Canadian poets who committed Random Acts of Poetry last October, and will do so again this year.
Lorri has been a researcher in the field of literacy and ethnography since the early 80s; she has taught writing for 30 years—in the public schools, in a penitentiary, in Northern Canadian communities, and in universities in Australia, New Zealand, and in Ireland. Lorri moved to Hubbards from the Prairies 22 years ago, and has recently moved to Halifax. She is on the board of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, and a member of The League of Canadian Poets and the Writers’ Union of Canada. This year, Lorri was the recipient of the Award for Research Excellence at Mount Saint Vincent University where she is Professor in the field of literacy and literary studies in the Faculty of Education.
As an arts and literacy advocate for over twenty years, Lorri believes that the life of the imagination is critical to a healthy and productive society. "Truth, beauty, and the imagination aren’t old-fashioned ideals. Today we need them more than ever. Words change lives." For further information please visit: www.halifax.ca/culture/
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Mayor Peter J. Kelly
(902) 490-4010
