Seattle Poet Populist
Congratulations Cody Walker, winner of the 2007-2008 Seattle Poet Populist election! And thank you, Seattle Arts and Lectures, for nominating Cody.
Cody's win was announced from Bumbershoot's Literary Stage in the Leo K. Theater, on September 2nd, where all four finalists performed. Cody becomes our city's 7th Poet Populist.
Cody garnered the most votes among the 4 top vote-getters from a field of 16 formidable candidates. His fellow finalists included Roberto Ascalon, nominated by Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; Angela Martinez-Dy, nominated by Youth Speaks Seattle; and Richard Gold, nominated by Pongo Publishing Teen Writing Project.
What is a "Poet Populist", you ask?
The 2nd College Edition of the American Heritage Dictionary defines a laureate as one who receives highest honors. A Poet Populist, rather than being anointed by a bureaucrat, official, or committee, is made possible by a popular vote of the people.
The role of Poet Populist for Seattle originated in 1999. As a follow-up to my 1998 Neighborhood Arts Conference, I sponsored the Seattle Neighborhood Arts Celebration (SNAC) to augment Neighborhood Appreciation Day on February 13th, 1999. 23 poets and performers performed in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall in the Benaroya Symphony Hall for over 500 attendees. A dozen neighborhood arts groups exhibited in the lobby. Attendees to the SNAC as well as the general public cast ballots and elected Seattle's first Poet Populist, Barnard Harris, Jr.
I am promoting this unique poetry program to other cities, encouraging them to institute a Poet Populist election of their own. If you happen to represent a literary organization or are a literary program producer and you believe this program has merit, I encourage you to do the same.
In the mean time, we can enjoy the distinction of being the world's first Poet Populist program.
Nick Licata
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