Nominations are now being sought for the Silver City area's third Poet Laureate, following Bonnie Buckley Maldonado's tenure as the first and Elise Stuart's as the second.

This honorary position is awarded to a person who has established a presence in the world of poetry, has demonstrated a commitment to the literary art form, and who embraces the opportunity to engage in civil discourse.

Candidates for the post may be either self-nominated or nominated by another person, and must be over the age of 21. Candidates must be residents of Grant County and must have exhibited demonstrable ties to the community. The person selected for the post will serve a two-year term based on the calendar year, with the option - granted in consultation with the Selection Committee - of extending the term to three years.

The main duty of the Poet Laureate is to promote poetry in the community. An additional duty may be to present an original commemorative poem at one or two public events as determined by the Southwest Festival of the Written Word and/or the Silver City Town Council.

To apply, please send a 1-2 page statement describing your qualifications, including publications and teaching experience; an outline of your plans for the role and how you will make a difference in the community; and 3-5 of your poems (which may be in English and/or Spanish). The process may also involve a short interview with the Selection Committee.

All applications must be sent by April 17, 2017 to JJ Amaworo Wilson at jjawilson@hotmail.com or 4229 N. Swan St, Silver City, NM 88061. Please contact JJ if you would like more information.