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Greene County has made literary history by appointing its first-ever poet laureate. Esther Cohen of Cornwallville will serve in this pioneering role for the next two years, according to an announcement from CREATE Council On The Arts in Catskill.
The appointment, made in partnership with the Greene County Legislature, follows a selection process by a panel of local writers and community members who chose Cohen for her extensive work as a poet and poetry teacher, as well as her four-decade commitment to the county.
"Esther Cohen has been dedicated to bringing poetry to unexpected places (doing readings or workshops in diners, supermarkets, laundromats) or to under-served groups," CREATE said in their announcement.
As poet laureate, Cohen will promote poetry throughout Greene County and participate in local literary events. The position comes with a $1,000 honorarium for each year of service.
Cohen's literary credentials are substantial. She has published nine books and hundreds of articles, poems, stories, essays, and reviews. Her most recent publication, "ALL OF US" (2024), is a fictional portrait of Greene County life told through stories and poems. She currently teaches "Good Stories in Greene County" at the Cairo Library and maintains a "Poem a Day" project that can be found at her Substack page.
Previously, Cohen has taught at prestigious institutions including Manhattanville College, The New School, and Parsons School of Design.
CREATE Council on the Arts plans to celebrate Cohen with a ceremony and reading in April as part of National Poetry Month. This initiative joins a growing movement across New York State to recognize poets for their artistic achievements and community impact, ensuring poetry remains a vital part of the county's cultural landscape.
For more information about the poet laureate program, residents can visit the CREATE Council's website.