Oshkosh Poet Laureate

Congratulation to Thomas Cannon, a founding member of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, for becoming Oshkosh’s first poet laureate.

Tom has been “instrumental in developing a writing community” in Oshkosh, said Oshkosh Public Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe at the Sept. 14 Common Council meeting.

The Oshkosh Poet Laureate will serve as the leading voice for poetry in the Oshkosh community promoting poetry through publication, performance, education, workshops, and digital and social media. The term is for two-years and includes a small stipend.

The goal of the new initiative, spurred by Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri, is to highlight the importance of literacy, share the values of poetry, spark creativity, and foster artistic expression.  

One of Tom’s first step towards that goal is the creation of Facebook group Oshkosh Poet Laureate.