From October 9-11, 2026, the Cascadia Poetics Lab will host the 10th Anniversary Cascadia Poetry Festival in Seattle, featuring workshops, panel discussions, and readings that delve into the intersection of poetry and bioregionalism. The festival, held at the Rainier Beach Community Club and Kubota Garden, aims to examine how poetry can respond to environmental, political, and social challenges by prioritizing natural and cultural boundaries over political ones.
The event will bring together a diverse lineup of poets and academics, including allia abdullah-matta, Greg Bem, Amaranth Borsuk, Bill Carty, Xavier Cavazos, Zach Charles, Ching-in Chen, Stephen Collis, Gary Copeland Lilley, Tess Gallagher, Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, Geneviève Hicks, Alicia Hokanson, Nadine Maestas, Dion O'Reilly, Roxi Power, Mateo Quispe, Linda Russo, Sharon Thesen, Miriam Tobin, Rodrigo Toscano, Matt Trease, and Terri Witek.
Workshops will cover topics such as bioregional poetics, poetry as politics, lyric and form, the connection between internal and external worlds, and poetry in times of crisis. The festival also includes afterparties on Friday and Saturday nights at nearby locations in Rainier Beach.
Sponsors include 4Culture Sustained Support, 4Culture Public Free Access, Creative West, the Vogt Family Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, ArtsFund, La Sala, and CPL Supporters. Registration for gold passes, workshop packages, reading packages, and student passes is available on the festival website: 2026 Cascadia Poetry Festival. A complete schedule can be found at the festival schedule page.
The Cascadia Poetry Festival's focus on bioregionalism is timely given the urgent need to address climate change. By exploring how poetry can reflect and respond to the natural and cultural landscapes of the Cascadia bioregion, the festival offers a unique platform for dialogue on pressing social and political issues. The event highlights the role of the arts in fostering environmental and community resilience.
Cascadia Poetics Lab, founded in 1993, has been a key player in promoting poetry and bioregional thought. This anniversary edition promises to be a significant milestone, bringing together voices that challenge conventional boundaries and inspire action.
