A resident of Preston, CT, Margaret Gibson– a professor emerita at UConn –-is the state’s seventh Poet Laureate.
A nationally and internationally acclaimed writer, Gibson is the author of 12 books of poetry, as well as the memoir “The Prodigal Daughter: Reclaiming an Unfinished Childhood.” Awards include the Lamont Selection from the Academy of American Poets, the Melville Kane Award from the Poetry Society of America as a co-winner, the Connecticut Center for the Book Award in Poetry and three Pushcart Prizes 1993. The Vigil was a Finalist for the National Book Award in Poetry. Broken Cup was a Finalist for The Poet’s Prize.
The panelists who selected Gibson as Connecticut’s Poet Laureate, stated, “ Throughout a long, distinguished career as poet, educator, and activist for peace and justice, Margaret Gibson’s lyric poetry interrogates and illumines the connection between our inner and outer worlds. Her 12 collections exhibit intelligence, meditative reflection, and an ever-deepening courage to reckon with uncertain…As Connecticut Poet Laureate, she will encourage and listen to the voices of others and bring to the position a demonstrated dedication to building an engaged, caring community.”
Also the author of a memoir about growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Gibson has lived for forty years in Preston, Connecticut, with her husband, writer David McKain. She has taught in many colleges and universities, at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
If you missed the showcase it’s not too late to see and hear the work of our talented members. The work was created from April 1 – July 15th during the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine.
