Author: DL Lang

20 more quotes about poetry for World Poetry Day

20 more quotes about poetry for World Poetry Day

“I am trying to voice a plea for the patterning of a more beautiful and secure human world.” – Irma Meyers, Vallejo poet “Don’t bow down to critics who have not themselves written great masterpieces.” ― Lawrence Ferlinghetti “The poet or the revolutionary is there to 

Happy National Poetry Month! Upcoming events!

Happy National Poetry Month! Upcoming events!

Upcoming events for National Poetry Month in Solano County, California.

County Fair Season is right around the corner

County Fair Season is right around the corner

Four Bay Area county fairs have annual contests open to poets residing in Solano County. Have your poetry displayed proudly for fairgoers to enjoy. Win ribbons, rosettes, and cash prizes. Some fairs even give free admission with entry.

Our annual Solano County Fair takes place June 11 – 14, 2026 – Competition information will be posted at https://scfair.org/compete/ Entry registration will start on April 15, 2026. Closer to the date you can also find the applications to perform at the fair here.

San Mateo County Fair takes place June 5 – 14, 2026 – Poetry is listed under Fine Arts, Division 321. Online registration is due May 8th. Entry delivery is May 22nd and 23rd. Pickup is June 15th.

View the Fine Arts contest book for specific display and entry rules here.

Alameda County Fair takes place June 19 – July 12, 2026 – Poetry is listed under Fine Arts, Division 207. Online registration is due May 13th. Entry delivery is June 5th and 6th. Pickup is July 15th and 16th.

View the Fine Arts contest book for specific display and entry rules here.

Marin County Fair takes place July 1 – 5, 2026. – Poetry is under Division 62. Online entry is due June 17. Entry delivery is June 19 and 20th. Pickup is July 6th. View the Creative Writing contest book for specific display and entry rules here.

Solano County Poetry Out Loud Competition

Solano County Poetry Out Loud Competition

Solano County Poetry Out Loud invites high school aged students to compete in the annual poetry recitation competition. Simply submit student(s) name(s), school, organization and contact information via Email, Text, or Phone Call to Your Local Coordinators by January 7th, 2026. Contact local coordinators Vallejo 

YEAH, WRITE

YEAH, WRITE

Julie Voice and Anna Santos Quismorio are thrilled to announce YEAH, WRITE: Winter Sanctuary Series 2025 starts Friday December 19, 2025 at THE EXCHANGE VALLEJO! Located at 617 Marin Street Vallejo, CA 94590 Register to attend at Event Brite This month’s intention is RESTORE. Rest. 

Deadline Extended! Apply to be 2026-2027 Vallejo Poet Laureate!

Deadline Extended! Apply to be 2026-2027 Vallejo Poet Laureate!

VALLEJO POET LAUREATE – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Deadline has passed.

The Poet Laureate is dedicated to building community through poetry and encouraging a love
of poetry among people of all ages. The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Vallejo Center for the Arts and is recognized by the City of Vallejo.


MISSION


The mission of the Poet Laureate is to promote the influence of poetry and enrich the lives of
citizens by sharing and encouraging the gift of poetry.


EXPECTATIONS

  • Contribute to the growth of poetry in Vallejo by organizing and leading poetry activities,
    events, and readings of the Poet Laureate’s choosing. At least one such event must be in
    partnership with Alibi Bookshop, Karen Finlay proprietor.
  • Partner with Vallejo’s JFK Library for at least one poetry reading event, to be organized and
    coordinated jointly by the Poet Laureate and library staff.
  • Attend area literary events.
  • Perform at government, civic and school events as requested.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Admirable and proven level of skill in writing poetry.
  • Promising aptitude to engage Vallojoans of all ages and in all our diversity in the awareness
    and enjoyment of poetry.
  • Must be 21 or older.
  • Must be a resident of Vallejo

TERM


The term of service is two years, from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027. The Poet
Laureate will also join the committee in the search for a successor to the position at the end of
the term. No remuneration is offered for the Poet Laureate position.

APPLICATION PROCESS


A general call for applications is made. The application will be available at www.vallejoarts.org
and paper copies will be available at JFK Library and Alibi Bookshop.


APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:

  • Completed application form, including the binding statement assuring that the poems are
    original and materials submitted are true.
  • Work sample not to exceed 5 pages, one poem per page.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages, including applicant’s experience with
    poetry and poetry events.
  • Audio or video recording of the applicant presenting their original poetry, not to exceed five
    minutes.
  • Explanation of what applicant would do in the role of Poet Laureate, not to exceed 1 page.
  • All materials should be emailed to: renayconlin@vallejoarts.org
  • Deadline: Extended to December 31st, 2025.
  • For questions, contact: Jeff Kingman jkingman@mindspring.com

Download the official application below

Note: Vallejo Poetry Society is just reposting the application here to help spread the word. The application process is sponsored by Vallejo Center for the Arts. Please refer to the contact information above for any questions or comments.

Mare Island Art of a Community Ekphrastic Poetry Event

Mare Island Art of a Community Ekphrastic Poetry Event

YOU ARE INVITED… Poets of all ages are invited to view the Art of Community Exhibit at Mare Island Art Studios (launching August 9), select up to three pieces of art, and write poetry for our upcoming ekphrastic poetry event. We’re excited to have Vallejo 

You are invited to A Decade of Poetic Unity

You are invited to A Decade of Poetic Unity

Dear esteemed poets and community members: You are cordially invited to attend  A Decade of Poetic Unity: Celebrating Vallejo’s Poets Laureate July 26th, 2025  2-5 PM Vallejo Museum 734 Marin Street Free event. Donations accepted here:https://gofund.me/19b3ee6a This year marks ten years since the appointment of Vallejo, 

Call for Submissions: A New Season: Poems from a World in Flux

Call for Submissions: A New Season: Poems from a World in Flux

An upcoming anthology from Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann

San Francisco Bay Area poets are invited to share their perspectives on what they see, feel, and think during these critical times. We welcome poems that explore shadows and light, doubt and certainty, struggle and triumph, personal transitions, epiphanies, and transformations.

We ask you to consider the following:

  • How will changing perceptions affect your current experiences?
  • How do you maintain hope and an open heart and hand?
  • Are there any acts of repair or patterns of possibilities that give you courage?
  • How do you keep on believing as you acknowledge what is lost?
  • What do you see beyond the headlines?
  • What have you learned?
  • How do you cultivate hope, facilitate reconciliation, and drive change?
  • Do you see far-reaching patterns, themes, or a “big picture”?

Share your unique perspectives, whether tender or tenacious; delve deep, be creative, and deliver something different. We want to know what is most important to you and share our collective voices.

Submit up to five poems of no more than 42 lines

Deadline: August 15, 2025.

All poets will be notified by September 15th, with tentative delivery in November/December 2025. 

Open to poets from the 9 San Francisco Bay Area counties.

TO SUBMIT YOUR POETRY CLICK HERE

Direct Questions & Inquires: submit@a-new-season.com

Official project website: http://tinyurl.com/a-new-season

Upcoming Poetry Events in July and August 2025

Upcoming Poetry Events in July and August 2025

July 2025 Poetry on display at Alameda County Fair from June 13th-July 6th and Marin County Fair from July 2-6 Tue., July 1   – Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not meet in July or August. It will return on September 2nd. July 4 – 12-3 PM –