(InEDC) BY Jordan Hyatt-Miller, Arts and Culture El Dorado Published: 08/15/23 4:31 PM PST. Photo credit: Curtis Messer
PLACERVILLE, CA) – California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick will present his work at the Placerville Public Library on September 8, 2023, from 3-5 pm. The event, a collaboration between Arts and Culture El Dorado and the El Dorado County Library, is free and open to the public.
During his visit to El Dorado County, Herrick will give a reading, host a Q&A with the audience, and sign books. He will be joined by El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows, whose powerful, intimate poetry explores topics such as Gold Rush history, the natural wonders of the Georgetown region, and his Pioneer and Ohlone heritage. The event will also feature two Emeritus Poets Laureate: Lara Gularte, who will debut the chapbook from her term as Poet Laureate at the event, and Taylor Graham, who served as the inaugural Poet Laureate of El Dorado County. The Poets Laureate will give readings and book signings alongside Herrick. Acoustic guitarist Peat Ryder of Ryder Thieves will provide musical accompaniment for the event.
“Poetry can change how we see the world,” noted Herrick. “It can transform the individual and illuminate the beauty and joy in this life. I am excited and looking forward to visiting El Dorado County and the Placerville Public Library.”
Herrick is California’s 10th Poet Laureate. He is a writer and professor at Fresno City College and the MFA program at the University of Nevada, Reno, at Lake Tahoe. A former Fresno Poet Laureate, Herrick’s work vividly celebrates the California experience. He is the author of three books of poetry and has been published in several notable publications, including Bloomsbury Review and Berkeley Poetry Review.
The event marks the first time in several years that a state Poet Laureate has visited El Dorado County, providing a unique opportunity for residents. As Rina Wakefield, Library Assistant, Placerville Main Branch, explained, “We are honored to host California’s Poet Laureate, Lee Herrick, for a special reading engagement. We invite all residents to join us on September 8 to gather in support of poetry and the arts within our community.”
To learn more about the El Dorado County Poet Laureate, visit https://
Located in the Sierra Nevada in Northern California, the El Dorado County Library offers free and easy access to ideas, books, and technology to promote literacy and lifelong learning. It serves as a community hub, providing a welcoming environment to inspire its diverse population to read, learn and connect. Information can be found at www.eldoradolibrary.org.
Arts and Culture El Dorado is a catalyst for good works throughout the region, serving as the State-Local Partner to the California Arts Council and providing targeted programs and services. It also curates a vibrant gallery exhibition series and focuses on initiatives that support and sustain the region’s cultural life. Founded in 1984 as El Dorado Arts Council, the organization offers programs for veterans and students, families and young people, artists and arts organizations, and residents and visitors to the region. Tax-deductible charitable donations may be made at https://
