- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Guardado named Lake County’s 11th poet laureate
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local woman who has a mission of making poetry inclusive and accessible to everyone has been selected as Lake County’s newest poet laureate.
Georgina Marie Guardado of Lakeport has been selected from a field of five applicants to be the 11th poet laureate for Lake County. She’ll hold the title from 2020 through 2022.
Outgoing Poet Laureate Richard Schmidt, who led the nearly two-month-long selection process for his successor, announced Guardado’s appointment on Saturday.
Schmidt, a cowboy poet who has worked to keep poetry in the public eye during his tenure, will hand off the reins to Guardado at a proclamation ceremony planned for 9 a.m Tuesday, April 14, during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Lakeport.
Guardado, who was a finalist for poet laureate two years ago, told Lake County News that she’s thrilled with the appointment and thanked the selection committee for the opportunity.
“I grew up in Lake County and many members of the community have embraced my writing and encouraged me to continue my work,” she said.
Guardado said she wants to return this encouragement by continuing to participate in writing workshops, readings, and other events around the lake.
She explained that in each of her public endeavors, “I aim to include writers regardless of their experience in writing or public speaking; this is to ensure accessibility for all. I am inspired to perpetuate a community of poetry and other forms of creative writing, inviting others into it and supporting those already in it.”
At 31, Guardado is the youngest poet laureate. She’s also the first Hispanic-American female poet laureate for the county, joining a group that’s known for its ethnic and cultural diversity.
Guardado was praised by two previous poets laureate, Carolyn Wing Greenlee and Casey Carney, both of whom also worked to make poetry accessible and vibrant through public events and performances.
“Our Poet Laureate is not only chosen for excellence in writing, but also has to show significant, enduring involvement in stimulating interest in poetry. For this term we retired laureates recognized Georgina’s extensive efforts to nurture and encourage writers across the county,” said Greenlee.
Guardado “has excellent skills to support her utter passion for poetry. I think she is flying colors, really amazing,” said Carney.
Carney added, “She will knock it out of the park, maybe even put Lake County on the map in other regions. Her talent, drive, skills and passion are incredible.”
Guardado has worked with the Lakeport Branch of the Lake County Library on a poetry reading, created and coordinated “Poetry Pop-ups” at the Farmers’ Markets in both Lakeport and Kelseyville, led writing workshops and hosting readings at the Middletown Art Center, facilitated the Lakeport Writers Circle and implemented a new writers group at Harbin Hot Springs.
She’s also been a volunteer co-editor and assistant editor on various projects and has written two chapbooks, “Finding the Roots of Water” (2018) and “Tree Speak” (2019). In addition, she participates in poetry readings in other counties.
“As laureate, I plan to collaborate with other local poets, artists, museums, schools, and native and marginalized communities to name a few to offer events, partnership, and inclusion of poetry to many areas in our county; and not just in the larger towns but all around the lake, including towns that may not receive as much representation or attention, such as Clearlake Oaks, Upper Lake, and Lucerne,” Guardado said.
She encourages writers to join the Lake County Poet Laureate Facebook group to be informed of upcoming events.
The line of Lake County poets laureate
The Board of Supervisors first established the office of Lake County Poet Laureate in 1998, giving the title first to Jim Lyle.
Lyle had held the office for four years when he was succeeded by James BlueWolf in 2002. Since then, it has been held by local poets for a period of two years each.
Following Lyle and BlueWolf, the local poets laureate have included Carolyn Wing Greenlee, 2004; Sandra Wade, 2006; Mary McMillan, 2008; Russell Gonzaga, 2010; Elaine Watt, 2012; Casey Carney, 2014; Julie Adams, 2016; and Richard Schmidt, 2018.
Greenlee told Lake County News that Lyle insisted that the office be a two-year term rather than a lifetime position. “He had in mind the stimulation of interest in poetry,” she explained.
“He, himself, worked diligently to bring gifted poets to read at the Arts Council and did his best to encourage local poets to contribute to the literary community here,” Greenlee said. “Since then, every successive laureate has been selected with Jim’s vision in mind.”
Greenlee said there was some really good poetry submitted by writers this year, but Guardado’s established efforts made a big difference in her ultimate selection.
“However, I was very impressed with the quality of submissions this year, and I’m so glad for Jim Lyle’s wisdom because two years pass in a flash and we will soon be looking for another gifted writer to take up the mantle and carry on the legacy that Jim started so long ago,” Greenlee said.
Carney said Guardado has already made significant contributions to the Lake County poetry community and beyond.
“Her own poetry is exquisite. Her genuine sense of inclusion is sure to expand the gathering of community through the power of poetry, at a time when we need it more than ever,” said Carney.
Carney added, “The selection of Georgina Marie as the 11th poet laureate of Lake County is a wonderful result.”
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