Poetry Month Archives
The COCC Libraries, along with many campus and community sponsors, have hosted Poetry Month celebrations annually in April for many years, with free events for the entire community held at all COCC campuses. Below is a listing of each year's theme and highlights.
Looking for current Poetry Month events and activities? Check out the current Poetry Month page.
2025
Rise
Event Highlights
- Workshop and reading by Oregon Poet Laureate, Ellen Waterson.
- "Rise to the Occasion" poetry slam.
- Poetry-themed crafts.
2024
Imagine
Event Highlights
- "Voices of Power, Voices of Imagination" Poetry Slam
- Poetry reading by COCC student and alumni poets, featuring Aaron Rasheed, Londale Dhesi, Ivy Sotelo, Sloan Cassidy and Ama Garza, with a Q&A moderated by local journalist and poet Bola Gbadebo.
2023
Authentic Voices
Event Highlights
- Workshop and performance by Oregon's Poet Laureate, Anis Mojgani.
- "Be Your Voice" writing workshops led by COCC students and faculty.
- Poetry slam.
2022
Connnect
Event Highlights
- Readings by young adult novelist, poet, and Pura Belpré Author Award-winning author Guadalupe García McCall.
- Howl film screening.
- COCC faculty and staff-led "Writing Poetms to Connect" writing workshops.
- Virtual celebrations continued, including COCC's own Stef Brewer providing us with a dramatic reading of Meryn Cadell's lyrics to "Flight Attendant."
2021
Together
Event Highlights
COCC was closed in April 2021, but Poetry Month continued with virtual events and opportunities to share poetry.
- A Zoom reading by Oregon's Poet Laureate, Anis Mojgani.
- A collaborative poem by members of the COCC community.
- COCC staff, faculty and students shared virtual poetry readings.
2020
Connection and Hope
Event Highlights
COCC was closed in April 2020. Poetry Month provided chances for connection via sharing uplifting poems and song lyrics virtually.
- COCC faculty and staff shared recorded poetry readings.
2019
Family and Place
Event Highlights
- Readings by Oregon Poet Laurate Kim Stafford, who was joined by guest poets Elizabeth Woody (a former Oregon Poet Laureate) and Madras poet Jarold Ramsey.
- Poetry Open Mic.
- Bright Star film screening.
- Workshops led by COCC Humanities faculty.
- Poetry-themed crafts.
- A finale reception featuring a book-themed cake baked by COCC Culinary students, music played by COCC faculty and a student poetry reading.
2018
Invoking Unheard Voices
Event Highlights
- Poetry and music by Cindy Gutierrez and Gerardo Calderon featuring Aztec-inspired poetry and pre-Columbian music.
- Reading by award-winning poet Laura Da.
- Art installation by Central Oregon artist Alex Borgen.
- Bookmaking workshops.
- Poetry Open Mic.
- A book-themed cake baked by COCC Culinary students.
- Poetry-themed crafts.
Past Poetry Month Sponsors & Partners
- ASCOCC
- Big Story Bookstore
- COCC Bookstore
- COCC First Nations Student Union
- COCC Humanities Department
- COCC Latinx Program and Club
- COCC Madras Campus
- COCC Office of Equity & Well-being
- COCC Prineville Campus
- COCC Q+ Club
- COCC Redmond Campus
- COCC Veterans Services
- COCC Wickiup Hall
- COCC Writing Center
- Dudley's Bookshop Cafe
- Herringbone Books
- Marriott TownPlace Suites
- Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Humanities Poet Laureate Program
- Roundabout Books & Cafe
- The Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program of the COCC Foundation