Governor Donald L. Carcieri today appointed Lisa Starr of New Shoreham as the State Poet. She replaces Thomas Chandler, who served as the State Poet since 1999.

Starr has published two full-length collections of poetry, Days of Dogs and Driftwood (1993) and This Place Here (2001). She received the Rhode Island Fellowship in Poetry in 2002 and 2004 and is a two-time recipient of the University of Rhode Island Nancy Potter Prize for Fiction.

Starr lives and writes on Block Island, where she and her husband, Champlin, own and operate the Hygeia House, a small inn, with their children, Orrin, 10, and Camille, 9. She is the founder and director of the Block Island Poetry Project, which each weekend from March 22 through May 6, features a different theme centered around poetry.

“I am pleased to name Lisa Starr as our State Poet. Not only is she a talented poet, but she is an advocate for poetry,” Governor Carcieri said.

“She is committed to bringing poetry alive for all Rhode Islanders. As founder of the Block Island Poetry Project, which is now in its fourth year, she has demonstrated creativity in showcasing poetry and she is bringing nationally-known poets to our state for this celebration,” the Governor said.

“Our state has a thriving arts community. From award-winning theater companies and our Rhode Island Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra to art galleries and coffee houses, we are blessed to have so many talented artists and performers throughout our state,” Governor Carcieri said. “Poetry is an important part of the arts, and I look forward to Lisa’s work as our State Poet.”

“I am honored, flattered, and pleasantly surprised to be selected as the State Poet,” Starr said. “I have always been drawn to and compelled by language, and poetry, in particular. When I am teaching, shaping, and sharing it, I feel like I am doing my part to make this world a better place.”

“Language has more power and more potential than any of us care to realize,” she said. “That makes our work – this tinkering with words – a most serious business as well as an aesthetically pleasing one.’

The position of State Poet of Rhode Island has been in existence since 1989, and is traditionally held by an artist who represents the highest achievement in poetry in our state. While no specific duties are assigned in the legislation, the State Poet serves as the principal advocate for poetry in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts organized the panel to select a State Poet, which consisted of poets, writers, and librarians to review nominations that were submitted by Rhode Islanders. The selection panel submitted three recommendations to the Governor, who then selected Starr. She will serve a five-year term.

Related links