Poet Laureate Program Overview
Program Background
The Poet Laureate Program of the Silver City/Grant County area, established in 2011 by the Steering Committee of the Southwest Festival of the Written Word, and endorsed by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Silver City, strives to promote a meaningful poetic presence as part of the diverse cultural fabric of our town and region.
This honorary role is awarded to a person who has established a presence in the world of poetry, demonstrated a commitment to the literary art form, and embraces the opportunity to engage in civil discourse.
Objectives
The objectives of the Poet Laureate Program are to:
- Enhance the literary arts presence in the Silver City area.
- Create a focal point for the expression of the culture of our region through the literary arts.
- Contribute to the continued growth of the individual Poet Laureate.
- Raise awareness of the power of poetry and the spoken word.
- Provide a forum for cross-pollination of art forms.
- Celebrate the spirit of the people and the special qualities of our region, especially our cultural blend running back to the Mimbres culture, now expressed in both Spanish and English.
- Create, over time, a body of work that expresses and commemorates the life of our region.
Sixth and current Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County
Heather Frankland
The current poet laureate of Silver City and Grant County is Heather Frankland. She holds an Master of Fine Arts in poetry and a Master of Public Health from New Mexico State University. She was a Peace Corps and Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Peru and Panama. In 2022, she was among 12 poets selected to attend the Marge Piercy Poetry Intensive Workshop. Her poetry chapbook, “Midwest Musings,” was published in 2023 by Finishing Line Press, and she has been published in Sweet Lit, Sin Fronteras Press, and others. Originally from Indiana, she lives in Silver City, NM where she teaches at Western New Mexico University. Heather finds herself fascinated with landscape and place in literature. Having lived in NM, cumulatively, for over a decade, she loves the inspiration of NM landscape. She is looking forward to the work, joy, and celebration of this role.
Fifth Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County
Allison Waterman
The Sixth Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County is Allison Waterman. Ms. Waterman (pronouns: she/her) is an avid reader, writer, and researcher who has been published many times, having her poetry, short stories, and newspaper columns celebrated locally and nationwide. She was a member of Silver City Slam and participates in Poetry Bread events. She cherishes her three sons and two brothers and finds joy in the everyday happenings of life, particularly in the mountains and hot springs of Southern New Mexico. Allison has lived in Silver City on and off since 1995. She is a WNMU graduate student and runs the Writing Center on campus, which fills her with purpose and enthusiasm.
Forth Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County
Eve West Bessier
Eve West Bessier was born in the Netherlands. When Eve was seven, she and her mother immigrated to San Francisco. Eve holds a Master of Education from the University of California, Davis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Francisco State University. She moved to New Mexico almost five years ago and is the host and coordinator of the monthly Just Words Literary Reading series. Eve is an award-winning author of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction whose latest poetry collection, “Roots Music: Listening to Jazz,” has just been published, and her novel, “New Rain,” was just released in paperback. Eve is a retired social scientist, studio musician, jazz vocalist and voice coach, and visual artist. A nature enthusiast, Eve hikes on the Continental Divide Trail daily and enjoys the many cultural events Silver City offers.
Third Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County
Beate Sigriddaughter and Jack Crocker
Following the tenure of Elise Stuart as second Poet Laureate, the committee received several applications for the role. Beate Sigriddaughter and Jack Crocker’s applications were outstanding. After interviewing both candidates, the committee decided unanimously to offer them the position in tandem. This unprecedented move allowed Crocker and Sigriddaughter to share the load of spreading poetry to the community.
Beate Sigriddaughter, originally from Germany, has published dozens of poems and short stories as well as novels, the most recent of which is “Audrey: A Book of Love.” Sigriddaughter has a website – Writing In A Woman’s Voice – which publishes novice and experienced women writers. She believes “poetry really does matter. Almost everybody I know seems to remember some poetry that has at some point provided meaningful comfort.”
Jack Crocker‘s poems have appeared in a variety of journals, and his latest collection, “The Last Resort,” was published in 2009 by the Texas Review Press. Crocker is also a musician. He once signed a recording and songwriting contract with Fretone Records in Memphis, but decided instead to become an English professor. Currently, he is Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Western New Mexico University.
The poets served a two-year term, beginning May 1, 2017.
Second Poet Laureate of Silver City and Grant County
Elise Stuart
Silver City Poet Laureate Elise Stuart was selected by the Southwest Festival of the Written Word and the Silver City Town Council to be the second person to hold this honorary title, from 2014 to 2017.
