April in Santa Fe is buzzing with creativity as the city fully embraces National Poetry Month. For the first time, Mayor Alan Webber has officially declared that “All people of Santa Fe are hereby declared to be poets.” This joyful announcement invites everyone in the city to explore their inner poet, whether or not they’ve ever written a poem before.
This special 2025 poetry proclamation was inspired by Tommy Archuleta, Santa Fe’s seventh Poet Laureate, along with Chelsey Johnson, the city’s Arts & Culture Director. Both are strong supporters of poetry as a powerful form of expression and connection.
Santa Fe Celebrates the Poet in Everyone
Mayor Webber shared that poetry has always been a part of Santa Fe’s spirit. “We’ve always been a city of poets, never more than today,” he said. “For the month of April, everyone in Santa Fe is a poet, so if you feel like writing, show it!”
With this encouraging message, the city invites everyone, young and old, to take part in poetry activities and let their creativity shine.
Free Poetry Workshops at Local Libraries
Santa Fe Public Libraries are also joining the celebration with a full month of free poetry workshops. These are being held across the city at the La Farge, Main, and Southside libraries.
Well-known poets and writers like Darryl Lorenzo Wellington, Tommy Archuleta, and Renata Golden will lead these sessions. They will guide people in learning how to write poetry and better understand the beauty behind poetic expression.
Library Division Director Margaret M. Neill said, “It’s a great month for creativity. We’re excited to present programs in partnership with talented poets and writers.”
To join, anyone can register online through the Library Poetry Workshops page. Whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years, these workshops are open to all.
The Poet Laureate Program in Santa Fe
Santa Fe’s Arts and Culture Department also runs a special Poet Laureate program. This program honors a local poet who acts as a voice for poetry and storytelling in the community.
The Poet Laureate helps share the power of words, promotes reading and writing, and inspires people—especially the younger generation—to see the value of poetry in their lives.
Chelsey Johnson, Director of Arts & Culture, expressed her excitement about the month-long celebration. “Poetry is one of our oldest forms of storytelling, creative expression, and culture-bearing,” she said. “We turn to it for healing, connection, and to express feelings that are hard to say out loud.”
Poetry Month: A Celebration of Expression and Connection
National Poetry Month was started in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets. Since then, it has grown into the biggest literary celebration in the world. It’s a time to honour the lasting impact of poets, celebrate the beauty of language, and encourage more people to read and write poetry.
This April, Santa Fe is showing the world just how deeply poetry is rooted in its culture. With open hearts and creative minds, the city is inviting everyone to take part, write a few lines, attend a workshop, or simply enjoy the power of words.
Santa Fe’s first-ever poetry proclamation makes April 2025 a truly special time for locals. By declaring everyone a poet, the city is encouraging creativity, self-expression, and connection. Free workshops, support from celebrated poets, and an enthusiastic community make this a perfect time to start writing or enjoy poetry in a new way. Whether you’re a long-time writer or just curious, Santa Fe welcomes you to celebrate National Poetry Month with open arms and an open notebook.