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All in Adams—Poet Laureate Program
20 Plays21 days ago
Welcome to All In Adams, the podcast that brings you the stories, people, and initiatives shaping our community!
Today, Adams County Cultural Arts Manager Zoe Ocampo discusses the Adams County Poet Laureate Program. Adams County Poet Laureate, Kerrie Joy, is not only a poet, but a singer/songwriter, storyteller, educator, and revolutionary. Her work in Adams County communities is inspiring, thought-provoking, and elevating. She’ll be our Poet Laureate through August 2025 so be sure to catch an event, a workshop, or a performance.
Learn more about Kerrie Joy here and stay up to date on upcoming events and workshops here.
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Transcript
Introduction to All In Adams Podcast
00:00:04
Speaker
Welcome to All In Adams, the official podcast of Adams County Government, where we're all in for our residents, our employees, and our community. So whether you live here, work here, or you just want to know more about what makes Adams County a great place to be, thanks for tuning in.
00:00:20
Speaker
We're all in, Adams. Welcome to another edition of All in Adams and Adams County podcast.
Meet the Hosts: Carson Forsman and Zoe Ocampo
00:00:27
Speaker
My name is Carson Forsman. I am a communication supervisor with the county, and I'm joined with Zoe Ocampo, our cultural arts manager. Zoe, thanks for coming in today. We're going to talk about the Adams County Poet
Introduction to the Poet Laureate Program
00:00:41
Speaker
Laureate program. And before we talk, Zoe, let's play a recent performance by Adams County Poet Laureate, Carrie Joy.
00:00:48
Speaker
This particular poem is called What Do You Dream? It is an invitation to you ah to take your dreams seriously because there's a lot of meaning there, okay? ah So I hope you enjoy.
00:01:00
Speaker
Thanks.
00:01:05
Speaker
I think we've all seen it. I think we've all smelled the air. I think we've been believers. actually think we were taught fear. I think our instincts, they free us.
00:01:17
Speaker
The truth is somewhere in there. I think the greedy, they just need us to forget why we are here and that we are full of answers. Celestial pastures of utopia and laughter. Innovation in our DNA, yeah that's brilliance wrapped in matter.
00:01:30
Speaker
We never ask for too much when what we are truly after is as simple as the haters getting out the way. Look, I've been told that I'm idealistic. Maybe folks just can't relate. I call it like I see it.
00:01:41
Speaker
I know that I walk by faith. I make time like I bake it. My value up like pound cakes. I speak because I'm spoken to. Ancestors in my belly, they say, Rumble, young queen, rumble, but keep the vision steady.
00:01:54
Speaker
I know folks want me sedated. I know my love's a threat. It's heavy. I know the light inside me is flowing. I know I break molds like levees, but I'm not willing to back down. It's fine if they call me crazy.
00:02:05
Speaker
At least I'm not backing down now. Man, I hope I'm fine when they call me crazy. But I think we've all seen it. I think we've walked the streets of gold. I think we all feel it, that clarity within our souls. I think we deserve to live it, that peace that they want to control. like I think we know there's more.
00:02:24
Speaker
I think we know there's more. So we dream dreams and we write visions. I said we dream dreams and we write visions. Nothing's what it seems, but we know what's missing.
00:02:36
Speaker
So we dream dreams and we write visions. So tell me, what do you dream? What do you remember from the realms that you've seen? What's your power telling you that you should be?
00:02:48
Speaker
What do you deserve? What's the missing piece? Look how hard you've worked. It's okay to read. So what do you dream? How you know you scared, but you do it anyway. How you befriend fear so now you're not afraid. She's just teaching you that you're here to be great.
00:03:04
Speaker
So what do you dream? Make it vivid. Make those dreams clear. That's how we manifest. That's how we bring them here. That's how we endure new days, new weeks, new months, new years.
00:03:16
Speaker
Cause I think we've all seen it. We call it Nirvana. We call it paradise. We give it a name. We call it intuition. We call it discernment. Some call it insane. But it's what we pursue.
00:03:27
Speaker
It's what we long for. It's what we chase. Because many of us know that we can create our heavens today. So let's create them today. And tell me, what do you dream?
Origins and Development of the Poet Laureate Program
00:03:37
Speaker
That again was our Adams County Poet Laureate, Keri Joy and Zoe back here in studio.
00:03:42
Speaker
What a beautiful message. I mean, when you thought about the program, um this is really a dream come true. It is. Yes. And I'm so glad you played that piece. First of all, she just gives you chills whenever she performs.
00:03:55
Speaker
um And that was actually the first piece she ever performed in the capacity of Adams County Poet Laureate. I love it. And can we just kind of start back at the idea of an at the having the Adams County a Poet Laureate? I know we're partner partnering with Anythink Libraries too, but kind of go back to where this all kind of started. Yeah, yeah. It was a seed of an idea um but I pushed off a little while because i I thought, you know, we're going to go down this road. We need to do it right.
00:04:23
Speaker
um To be able to have somebody in this role and really create space, be an ambassador for the county and and bring us to a place where it's sort of threaded through everything we do. So we took our time and we really thought about what we wanted, what we wanted the program to do, and how we wanted to connect with community.
00:04:41
Speaker
And partnering with Anythink was one of the first things that really rose to the top. You know, we, as the county and as of the cultural arts division, we felt very strong in our process of working with artists.
00:04:54
Speaker
But we didn't really have that point of community contact the way that our library system here does. And we are blessed to have such an amazing library system. You know, they they're not, you know, sort of an old school you know way of thinking. They do so much community work. They do so much.
00:05:09
Speaker
with events and programs, with their studio space, ah working with artists in so many capacities. So really working with them was kind of what built the true foundation for the program.
00:05:20
Speaker
So we went to the Board of County Commissioners, and i want to say that was 21. And so really laid it out. You know, here's what we want. We want a residency that lasts two years because we want to be able to really build a relationship with the artist.
00:05:35
Speaker
We want to be able to build a relationship
Community Engagement and Impact
00:05:37
Speaker
with the community. want the artist to have that time. And so we designed it as a two-year residency, a partnership with Anythink, and that the that the residency would have three primary components, the creation of original works, um community performances, and community engagement, whatever that looked like, workshops, classes, events.
00:05:57
Speaker
Um, the board loved it, you know, i mean, who wouldn't, but they really supported it, you know, unanimously. And we, we went forth with designing what it looked like and it took a long time to develop with anything.
00:06:11
Speaker
I love it Many, many months, years. I love it. And I know the community appreciates what the cultural arts team does. um What are you hearing from the community about this program so far? I know she's she's almost done with her residency, but what are you hearing?
00:06:29
Speaker
You know, we've heard so much, you know, she's been in this position now for, you know, a year and a half, a little more than that. um She goes through August of this year. And, you know, I think at that first performance, it was immediate people, you know, she introduced herself as the Poet Laureate. She performed this and and another work at the, it was anything backyard concert series.
00:06:52
Speaker
And, you know, there were a few hundred people there and, um, you know, to hear her perform, i mean, she just had people coming up to her afterward, just sort of gushing at at how she made them feel. And, you know, that, I think when you watch Carrie Joy perform, you are, you're transported and, um, it's, it's powerful.
00:07:10
Speaker
And then throughout this time, she's created, um you know, a series of events called Unstudied, which have an open mic performance component. They have sort of a deep dive into like whatever the topic is. It's sort of an Adams County look.
00:07:25
Speaker
She has a featured poet. She'll perform. So it's this really dynamic event with a lot of different, you know, sort of entry points to poetry. And through those open mics, and she's also had a number of of slams in particular.
00:07:40
Speaker
And what I've seen in those events is just people coming back again and again and again, and the relationships that she's built and the space that she's created. You know, I think the point of poetry is to give people a platform to say things that are hard, right? Like to create civic dialogue and to let people really express themselves. And I think we need that, you know, now more than ever.
00:08:03
Speaker
And Carrie Joy has the ability to make people feel seen and heard. And, um you know, it's it's really, and that's what I hear. I hear people say those words and it's it's very moving. Yeah.
00:08:15
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, just watching that performance in this episode, I mean, I'm um motivated. After watching that, I don't know who isn't, right? um It's amazing what she's doing.
Anthology Announcement: 'For Those Who Dream by Day'
00:08:25
Speaker
um So we have an exciting opportunity for poets coming up, and I want you to tell us about the upcoming anthology, and it's titled For Those Who Dream by Day and How Local Poets and Photographers Can Contribute. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
00:08:41
Speaker
Yes. We knew we wanted an anthology from the moment we started the residency, but we didn't know what it would look like. And we really worked very closely with Carrie Joy on this. This is, you know, very much her dream based in her own work and bringing in community poets. ah We will bring in featured poets and really have this very dynamic anthology that will be divided into three parts that really explore the idea of dreams and, um you know, dreams deferred, dreams realized, and, you know, dreams that haven't happened yet. Right. And so this idea that, you know,
00:09:19
Speaker
You feel crushed, but you keep showing up, you know, and and what that looks like in your life. And and i her words are far better to describe the anthology. and And you can actually read those words when you go through the portal.
00:09:31
Speaker
um But it's open until May 15th. And people can submit... um Up to two works and you can submit both poetry and photography. We really wanted, you know, visually we wanted this book to really be sort of an interesting collage of words and and visual.
00:09:47
Speaker
And so we're looking for local poets to send whatever. We didn't we didn't really give... um rules around it. Right. We really want them to be poets, or poetry that, that speaks to the individual community member. Right.
00:10:02
Speaker
um And then we'll work with Carrie joy to put that all together and publish the anthology later this year. And how can people submit? I know it's on our Adams County website, correct?
00:10:13
Speaker
Yes, it's on our website, and we also have a newsletter that's called Artfully Adams. Hopefully you can sign up for that on our website as well. But that I actually think it's on our homepage right now, and it will bring you to a landing page. Yeah, click on that image right on the homepage, adcogov.org. Yes, and then that will kind of take you to explain the project, and you can choose poetry or you can choose photography, and it will take you through ah really simple monday.com form.
00:10:39
Speaker
And you can submit your works and then we'll have a selection process, of course. And um I love it. I love it. And I know Carrie's not done quite yet, but the search is on for the next Adams County Poet Laureate, which is exciting.
Selection Process for Next Poet Laureate
00:10:55
Speaker
um Can you share just any details on where that selection process is and what residents can expect? Yes. So our selection process is, um, it's really thoughtful. We have unique selection panel for every single project that we do a call for entry for through our cultural arts division.
00:11:12
Speaker
So it's made up of, um, members of the community. It's made up of members of both partner organizations. So in this case, Adams County and anything. And we really go through a lengthy process of orienting ourselves to the project and, um, orienting the panel to the project.
00:11:29
Speaker
So they go through a application review, scoring. That's been done. We have our finalists. We have in-person interviews. The finalists are in a space where they're creating really specific proposals. So their application is kind of a ah peek into who they are as an artist. And then this is a real opportunity. They'll talk about their vision for where they might take this residency.
00:11:52
Speaker
you know And Carrie Joy has some pretty big shoes to fill. But, um you know, I think people are really excited and they're inspired by her. And, um you know, really, this can be whatever the next artist, the next, you know, whoever's selected is going to take it in ah different direction. It'll be really beautiful to watch that unfold.
00:12:12
Speaker
So we'll make the announcement later this fall and then we'll do, we're going to run it a little differently than the last time. and we'll have some really dedicated programming planning time through late fall into winter. And then we will have our public real public launch in January. So that's when the programming will start.
00:12:31
Speaker
um January of 26. January of 26. Yes. Amazing. And then the two years. Same. Yes. so that Well, so it'll start in July because we'll go through and we will make the announcement and so the announcement and then gotcha, but it will run July through July.
00:12:45
Speaker
Love it. I love it. Can you tease any of what you're seeing with the finalists? Are you, are you able to share any little nuggets or is that still under wraps? You know, I think it is a little bit, you know, just because, you know, we are in sort of the the selection process, which is really, you know, it's just, it's a lot. And so I think what I would say is we had incredibly excellent candidates.
00:13:06
Speaker
We had really dynamic candidates. pool of candidates and everyone brought something completely different. You know, you think there's obviously this, you know, synergy of they're all poets, but they all really approach it very differently. You know, some really integrate music into their poetry and some are more storytelling.
00:13:24
Speaker
Um, some have, you know, a lot of experience working with youth and some have more experience working with, you know, people in, you know, different communities. And so we're really, we're really, i think, lucky to have such an interesting array of candidates.
00:13:40
Speaker
I love it. That's so exciting.
Upcoming Poetry Events
00:13:42
Speaker
um I know we have a few more months with Carrie and I wanted to plug her upcoming events and it is National Poetry Month. April is National Poetry Month.
00:13:51
Speaker
um So it sounds like she has a event coming up Wednesday, April 23rd at anything here on street. And that's a adult poetry slam. What can kind of folks expect at that event?
00:14:04
Speaker
So she's done a few slams. We actually just finished a youth slam at Parsons Theater in National Poetry Month. That was amazing. um So for this, people can sign up and perform. And it's this really cool environment. It's like very audience participate, you know, and Carrie performs, kind of shows people the ropes, teaches them what happens at a slam and what they can expect.
00:14:29
Speaker
And the members, i think there are up to 10 slots in And, um, I know that there are some available and it's an opportunity to get up and perform whatever your heart desires and you do it in, you know, you've got three minutes and,
00:14:43
Speaker
The audience is like, you know, hooting and hollering and, you know, cheering you on. And then the there is ah there are audience judges. And so it's all judged and sort of, you know, by the audience.
00:14:53
Speaker
um And then, um you know, if there's a tie, there's like a slam off. I don't think that's what it's called. Okay. get it. I get it, though. Yeah. So, um but yeah, it's fun. It's high energy. You know, it's amazing to hear people's works. I went to the youth slam and was just like every piece. I was just like blown away.
00:15:12
Speaker
these are kids They're kids and they're honest and it's beautiful to hear their words. And it's yeah. Inspiring and very inspiring. And again, that that we've been able to create this space, you know, I think.
00:15:24
Speaker
Yeah. And i know we're still working on a date for her final unstudied event, but again, unstudied, is that similar to the slams or does it just carry joy performing at those? Yeah. It's a little similar. There is an open mic component.
00:15:37
Speaker
yeah So there's not, it's not a cash prize. Oh, by the way, there's a cash prize at the slam. I probably should have led with that. Right. um So it's a little bit more free form with the open mic style, but Carrie always brings in a guest poet and she actually did at the youth slam too. You know, just, just poet poets that have really inspired her, which is, you know, kind of cool because she's inspiring our community. So to see what inspires her, um she's brought in Franklin Cruz and,
00:16:01
Speaker
um, Wayne Watts and, you know, a variety of other people. So, um, there's always food. Anything is food. You gotta, there's food and it's always really delicious.
00:16:13
Speaker
And, um, it's just a fun community night. You know, it really is. So you can look for that, um, in August, Carrie Joyce residency ends then. And I think we're going to finish it off with an unstudied.
00:16:24
Speaker
and love it. Well, thank you, Zoe, so much. And if you want to catch all those details, you guys have that on the cultural arts web website, which is adcogov.org forward slash cultural dash arts.
00:16:36
Speaker
You'll have all that all that information on there for for residents to check out. And again, Zoe, just ah appreciate your time talking about the Adams County Poet Laureate Program. And I'm sure we'll have you on soon to talk about all the things, the great things that you and your team are doing. So we appreciate it. Yeah, we do a lot. Yeah, it's wonderful. Thank you.
00:16:54
Speaker
bet.
Closing and Social Media Engagement
00:16:55
Speaker
That's a wrap for this episode of All in Adams. Thank you for joining us as we explore the people, programs, and the policies that make Adams County a great place to live, work, and thrive.
00:17:06
Speaker
If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe and share with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know. We're all in for bringing you the stories that matter most.
00:17:17
Speaker
Until next time, take care of each other and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and X. We're all in, Adams, and we're all in for you.