Calgary’s newest Poet Laureate wants to use “intentional nourishing narrative” as he starts his two-year term in the position.
Wakefield Brewster was announced as the city’s newest poet during Tuesday’s combined meeting of council. It was in conjunction with National Poetry Month.
Brewster, Toronto-raised but Calgary resident since 2006, is a widely published poet and three-time Calgary Poetry Slam Champion and team captain. He’s also a registered massage therapist who owns the Wakefull Wellness Registered Massage Therapy & Healing Space.
Brewster takes over from outgoing Poet Laureate, Natalie Meisner.
“Now is the time to use intentional nurturing narratives to alter the current numerous negating blends in our world and our country cities, communities, workplaces, schools, circles, families, and individual lives,” Brewster said in council.
“My intention as a guest speaker, storyteller and steward of this Treaty 7 land, is to promote exactly that.
“I welcome you all into these wondrous worlds of words and wellness.”
Calgary Arts Development President and CEO, Patti Pon, thanked Meisner and welcomed Brewster.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Wakefield Brewster to the position for the next two years,” Pon said.
“Wakefield is a poet and spoken word artist with a passion and intensity that is sure to unleash a new age for poetry in our city.”
Brewster’s role is to serve as an artistic ambassador for the City of Calgary from 2022 to 2024.
There is a $10,000 annual honorarium paid to the Poet Laureate.
