Unpublished work by Andrea Gibson is part of new Colorado anthology supporting poet laureate program

A new poetry anthology features works from all of Colorado s poets laureate with all proceeds going to an endowment supporting the future of the poet laureate venture The book titled Begin Where You Are includes work from all of Colorado s poets laureate spanning years including never-before-published work from beloved artist Andrea Gibson the the greater part newest poet laureate who died in July from ovarian cancer The collection is the first-ever U S state poet laureate anthology Poets laureate play a unique and pivotal role uplifting arts and custom in Colorado noted Colorado Creative Industries Director Josh Blanchard in a news release They commemorate our past celebrate who we are and inspire a vision for our future We are thrilled to celebrate their contributions in this special anthology and in turn endorsement the work of poet laureates to come CCI is a division of the state s Office of Economic Advancement and International Transaction Besides Gibson the book will also debut unpublished works from Bobby LeFebre Joseph Hutchison David Mason and Mary Crow The new book is selling for in hardcover in paperback and as an e-book It s available for preorder now through coloradopoets org In April Colorado Humanities the state s only nonprofit dedicated to society humanities tuition and services sounded the alarm about foreseen closure following a loss of federal funding from President Donald Trump s administration The nonprofit noted the poet laureate effort was at vulnerability The endowment created by book sales will provide additional funding allowing future poets laureate to visit rural communities schools and libraries across the state the news release stated Related Articles Andrea Gibson Colorado state poet laureate queer activist and spoken-word artist dies at Meet Colorado s new poet laureate I write about what I dream the world can be Bobby LeFebre Colorado s outgoing poet laureate on years of making magic of the mundane Gov Polis names Northside writer Bobby LeFebre as newest Colorado poet laureate What s at liability with cuts to federal humanities funding in Colorado Book awards library hours educational materials and more The poet laureate is a statewide position advocating for the literary arts in Colorado mentioned Eve Lieberman the executive director of the state economic improvement office in the release The release of Begin Where You Are is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Poets Laureate while increasing their reach across the state A free launch party for the anthology featuring book signings poetry readings and refreshments is set for p m Friday at Petals Pages Bookstore Santa Fe Drive in Denver To register for the event visit coloradopoets org Nominations for the state s th poet laureate are being reviewed now with an announcement expected in early the news release declared Subscribe to our weekly newsletter In The Know to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox