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Kingston, NY: Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has appointed Mike Jurkovic, a published poet and music critic who lives in the Shawangunk hamlet of Wallkill, as the County’s 2025 Poet Laureate. Jurkovic succeeds poet Kate Hymes of New Paltz, the county’s first resident to hold this honorary title, created by the County Executive in 2023.
County Executive Metzger said, “Words possess the remarkable ability to bridge hearts and minds, uniting our community through the art of verse, and through his evocative poetry, Mike Jurkovic captures the essence of everyday life and invites us to explore the hidden beauty in our daily experiences. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Mike — we look forward to the inspiration and creativity you will bring to this role!”
Originally hailing from the South Bronx, Jurkovic has called Ulster County home for more than three decades. A cornerstone of the Hudson Valley poetry scene, he serves as the president and co-founder of Calling All Poets — a distinguished poetry organization and series that, this year, proudly celebrates 26 years of fostering poetic expression both in the Hudson Valley and on the international stage.
“With the grand family of writers and poets in the Hudson Valley, I am humbled to serve as Ulster County Poet Laureate,” said Jurkovic. “In this role, it is my aim to highlight as many voices as possible.”
The Ulster County Poet Laureate program was instituted in 2023 by Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. Poet Laureates serve a one-year term. Arts Mid-Hudson manages the public call for nominations, facilitates a panel composed of literary professionals and community members to select from the nominees, and provides support and promotion for the Ulster County Poet Laureate’s work during their year of service.
“We are grateful for County Executive Metzger’s commitment to the arts community in Ulster County, and we can all celebrate the appointment of Mike Jurkovic as our Poet Laureate for 2025,” said Melissa Dvozenja-Thomas, Executive Director of Arts Mid-Hudson. “Promoting poetry across Ulster County enriches residents of all ages and backgrounds, and we commend County Executive Metzger for her ongoing support of the arts.”
Information about the Ulster County Poet Laureate and the upcoming programs can be found at https://www.artsmidhudson.org/uc-poetlaureate |
