Poet Laureate for the City of Annapolis

03/20/2026

Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Annapolis, invites poets of all ages and levels of expertise to participate in a challenge in honor of Maryland Day. Poets will be invited to read their original work in a program on Friday, March 20, 2026, at St. Luke's Church in Eastport from 6 - 8 p.m.

For submissions and more information, contact Jefferson Holland at [email protected]

The event is held on March 20, 2026 at St. Luke's Eastport in Annapolis, MD.The event is free.The cost is 0.00

01/07/2025

January 16 @ 7:00 pm - “The Chesapeake Bay in Story and Song” - at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. Jefferson Holland, Annapolis Poet Laureate and Chesapeake Troubadour presents a delightful program of original tall tales, sing-along-songs and epic poetry inspired by the people, places and especially the traditional boats of the Bay: Pirates! Cannibal crabs! And the Key to Annapolis History explained in eight stanzas! Holland has entertained audiences on both shores of the Bay as well as both coasts of the continent, and this event is sure to be a sell-out.

$10 Admission and FREE for First Mate & Above Museum Members. Limited seating. Please register and reserve your spot. Virtual option available, please reserve virtual spot to receive zoom link.

Chesapeake Troubadour Jefferson Holland, AMM's first director (2000–2012), performs a program of tall tales and sing-alongs. The performance is inspired by the long tradition of music as entertainment and cultural expression aboard maritime vessels and celebrates the unique spirit of life in Annap...

12/27/2024

Love this piece in the Baltimore Banner!

Jefferson Holland is the new Annapolis poet laureate. And, if he’s better known as a singer and songwriter focused on Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay, that’s because to him there’s not much difference.

11/01/2024

10/31/2024

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jefferson Holland as the City of Annapolis's next Poet Laureate.

Lyn Farrow, chair of the Art in Public Places Commission Annapolis, said, “In 2018 when the position of Poet Laureate was created, Annapolis poets stepped up to serve our community by inspiring them and supporting a sense of humanity and belonging through the reading and writing of poetry. Jeff Holland, already well-known to many in the city as a songwriter, essayist, and poet, brings a sense of joy and play to his work that makes him perfect for the role of Poet Laureate.”

Congratulations, Jeff!

Send a message to learn more

07/25/2024

Just one more day to apply to the post of Poet Laureate for the City of Annapolis for 2024-2026! Deadline is July 26 at midnight.

Poet Laureate

06/22/2023

This week I received my City Council Citation from the City of Annapolis for my two year term as Poet Laureate.

Being in this position has been surreal. Organizing events and helping spread the love of poetry throughout the city has been such a joy these past two years.

Thank you to everyone that attended events, read poetry, shared their truths, interacted with my social media accounts, or were simply inspired to pick up a pen. You are the 'why' to all of this!

I'll be passing the torch to the next Poet Laureate soon and look forward to supporting them in continuing to give the City of Annapolis a voice, and place to authentically express themselves.

🔸️Poetry inspires [us]
🔸️Poetry changes [us]
🔸️Poetry becomes [us]

Yours in poetry,
✍🏽 Maggie Benshaw

05/19/2023

We hope to see you this Sunday in the garden! 📜🌸✍🏽🌼

Sunday Social: Join HA and Maggie Benshaw, Poet Laureate for the City of Annapolis on Sunday, May 21 for a special afternoon of poetry in the Paca Garden. Compose your own poem in our garden oasis and present it during our special open mic on our tented terrace! To register visit: https://www.annapolis.org/events/poetry-sunday-social/