The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission (ACAC) announces the inaugural Poet Laureate, Jeff Fallis, in a new program funded and administered by ACAC.
Jeff Fallis has lived in Athens since 1995 and studied under poets such as Coleman Barks and Kevin Young. Fallis has dreamed of how to “connect the literary world in Athens with its wild and vibrant music and visual arts scenes.” Fallis is known for his readings (sometimes as an opening act for local bands), co-curating the VOX Reading Series, educating students of all ages and even penned the introduction for a collection of poems by John Seawright.
ACAC views the Poet Laureate position as a means to further enhance the profile of poets, poetry, and literary arts in our community and beyond. Fallis will bring poetry to segments of our community that have less access or exposure to poetry: senior citizens, at-risk youth and more. The Poet Laureate will make several guest appearances during his two-year term, promoting poetry throughout the community. His first appearance will be Saturday, September 25th, 12-2 PM in the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department’s Pop Up Park at the Red Cross Community Safe Cookout at Highland Greens Mobile Home Park at 950 Danielsville Road.
A committee, comprised of art administrators, educators, librarians, and local poets reviewed nine applications based on the following criteria: excellence in craftsmanship, vision for the position, professional achievement in the field of poetry and a history of actively elevating the visibility of poetry in the community.
For more information on the ACAC Poet Laureate Program, email ACC Public Art Coordinator Tatiana Veneruso at tatiana.veneruso@accgov.com. Photo by Jason Thrasher.
