Mark Callanan named City of St. John’s Poet Laureate

The City of St. John’s has named Mark Callanan as its newest Poet Laureate.

Mark Callanan is the author of three full-length collections of poetry. Romantic, his most recent, was selected for the CBC’s “best Canadian poetry of 2021” list and was one of twelve books shortlisted for the 2021 Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry, which is awarded yearly to a full-length book of poems in English published anywhere in the world by a living poet who is not a U.S. citizen. He co-edited The Breakwater Book of Contemporary Newfoundland Poetry and was one of the founding editors of the St. John’s-based literary journal Riddle Fence.

St. John’s City Council approved the appointment on October 3, 2023, following the recommendation of the Poet Laureate Selection Committee. The selection committee included individuals who have achieved excellence in the field of poetry, literary arts, and/or spoken word arts; individuals with an interest in promoting the literary arts in St. John’s; and representation from City staff.

The City of St. John’s first Poet Laureate was named in 2006. The position of Poet Laureate is an honour bestowed by the City as a way of acknowledging and celebrating poets, literary arts, and their value and contribution to civic life. Through the Poet Laureate the City recognizes literary arts, and all art, as a fundamental and necessary component of society. The City of St. John’s Poet Laureate receives an honorarium of $5,000 per year and acts as an ambassador for literary arts and will integrate literary arts into a range of official and unofficial civic events.

St. John’s Poets Laureate since the position was created include Agnes Walsh, Tom Dawe, George Murray, and Mary Dalton.

More information about Mark Callanan and his work can be found on his website: https://markcallanan.ca/

City of St. John's Poet Laureate Mark Callanan. Photo credit: Heather Nolan