Poet Laureate
The Owen Sound Poet Laureate is a program of the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library. Established in 2007, by former Library CEO Judy Beth Armstrong, this program seeks to support and highlight the literary arts in the area. Funded entirely by generous community sponsors, the poet laureate writes poetry about the area, composes poems for special events, participates in public performances, works with local poets and writers, and acts as a literary ambassador for the city and the region. The work of the poet laureate culminates with the creation of a legacy project which is a unique and lasting contribution to the community.
Jennifer Frankum 2026 - 2027
Jennifer Frankum fashions poems out of everyday moments of wonder. She began writing daily after a breakdown at twenty-four in 1987. With counselling, family support, medication and grit she went on to teach high school English, Creative Writing, Careers, Civics, Family Studies, Parenting, ESL and Special Education for twenty-nine years in Port Elgin. Jennifer has three poetry collections in print and a picture book for toddlers, all with the Brucedale Press. She lives in Bruce County with her husband. Two adult daughters have flown to nearby cities.
During her term as Owen Sound Poet Laurate (2026-2027) Jennifer is looking forward to leading poetry workshops for teenagers, adults and seniors, and giving and arranging poetry readings throughout Grey and Bruce Counties. She will continue to write poems to celebrate and commemorate the overlooked bits of beauty, as well as advocate for poetry which she believes is the taproot of the soul and its healing, and a force for good.
Former Poets Laureate
- Liz Zetlin 2007-2009
- Kristan Anderson 2009 – 2011 (youth poet laureate)
- Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm 2011 – 2013
- Terry Burns 2013 – 2015
- Rob Rolfe & Larry Jensen 2015 – 2017
- Lauren Best 2017 – 2019 (children’s poet laureate)
- Richard-Yves Sitoski 2019 – 2023
- Rebecca Diem 2024 – 2025
The Poet Laureate program is hosted by the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library with funding from several members of the community.
The Poet Laureate’s honorarium and other expenses for the current term are covered by donations from Phillip Faulkner, Pat Lorenzo and David Madill, CFP of BMO Nesbitt Burns. Never supported by tax-based funding, the existence of the Poet Laureate program depends entirely on donations from community members who see the benefit of having a local advocate for the literary arts.
Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor of the Owen Sound Poet Laureate program is invited to contact Tim Nicholls Harrison, CEO, Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library at 519-376-6623 ext. 5201.
Words aloud spoken word and storytelling festival
Words Aloud presents the best in spoken word from across Canada and beyond. A captivating blend of poetry, spoken word, storytelling, music, workshops, and more.