This month we're celebrating the power of poetry to make our minds wonder and our hearts sing. Vermont's Poetry Out Loud students marked the month at Farmers Night on Wednesday at the Vermont Statehouse. The 2023 Vermont state champion Greer Kennedy (right) from St. Johnsbury Academy was joined by other participants to perform their poetry recitations before legislators, friends, and family. Learn more about the results of the state finals. And be sure to watch the live stream at 9 a.m. on May 9 when Kennedy competes against other state champions in the first semi-final round in Washington, DC. The national final airs on May 10. View photos from Farmers Night.

And finally, Vermont's poet laureate Mary Ruefle was featured on Vermont Edition last week. Randomly and anonymously, she's mailed a thousand poems to Vermonters. Did you receive one? Find out about some of the recipients in this wide-ranging interview with host Mikaela Lefrak.

Following a reception with Governor Phil Scott, Vermont's newest cartoonist laureate Tillie Walden (right) was recognized on the floor of the House of Representatives at the Vermont Statehouse on Thursday. A resolution was introduced by Rep. Rebecca Holcombe and Rep. Jim Masland, and outgoing cartoonist laureate Rick Veitch read the devotional. View the photos.

One of the most celebrated and accomplished cartoonists working today, Walden teaches at the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction. She has won two Eisner Awards, the comics industry equivalent to the Academy Awards—the first in 2018 for Best Reality-Based Work for her graphic novel memoir "Spinning," making her at 22 one of the youngest Eisner Award winners ever.

Starting next week, you might notice a few changes at vermontartscouncil.org. Our website refresh launches next week! While you'll see much of the same menu items as before, you may notice a few things have moved around. But all your favorites are still there: grant opportunities, arts and culture features and events, creative sector profiles, the Vermont Made podcast, tech help videos, and more.

Watch your inbox for more details about the new site next week.

The Creative Segment Leader Spotlight series explores the seven Creative Segments that comprise Vermont’s diverse creative sector by shining a spotlight on the people who work within them. 

Vermont artist Dylan Hausthor's photography features everything from the raw intensity of farm animals giving birth to the fleeting tranquility of a deer captured on a trail camera. Regardless of content, Dylan’s objective is not to capture how a scene looks, but instead invite the viewer to engage with any emotions the image might spark. 

With the help of a Creation Grant from the Council, Dylan is currently working on creating a new photography monograph.

Artists on our Teaching Artist Roster are eligible to lead residencies supported by Artist in Schools Grants. Each is vetted by the Council based on these criteria: artistic excellence, teaching ability, and collaborative planning skills.