Urbana Poet Laureate Program

Reger will work closely with the Urbana Arts and Culture Program and Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin to carry out his proposed community outreach project focusing on elevating the art of poetry in the local community. Reger’s plan also includes a pitch for a youth poetry competition he hopes to organize called Young Americans Writing Poetry (YAWP) that would support young poets. His work will include collaborations with local bookstores and public libraries to survey and make recommendations to guide acquisitions in an effort to promote dynamic collections of poetry. Reger specifically hopes to curate poetry contributions to local organizations benefiting those impacted by war and incarceration.

“We know Will will bring a lot of good energy to the role of the Poet Laureate,” Mayor Marlin said. “The City of Urbana will benefit from Will’s steadfast commitment to supporting local writers and advancing poetry projects in the community.”

The Poet Laureate program celebrates Urbana’s vibrant arts and culture scene through the work of a poet who elevates the art of written and spoken word, as well as conducts outreach activities, special programs, and presentations of individual works. The role of the Poet Laureate is to build upon the City’s local poetry scene, foster appreciation of poetry in all its forms, and support Urbana residents and visitors in deepening their appreciation of the art of creative writing.

“The Urbana Arts and Culture Program congratulates Will Reger on becoming Urbana’s first Poet Laureate and joins Mayor Marlin in recognizing his passion and commitment to elevating poetry in our local community,” said City Arts and Culture Coordinator, Rachel Storm. “We are excited to collaborate with him to forge new projects and honor our community with its already dynamic poetry scene.”

“I find that poetry means more to me than ever,” said Reger, “as a meditative practice, a form of sight, a game to play with language, and a means to explore experience.”

Will Reger began writing in the 7th grade and has published over 100 poems both in print and on-line, including in Front Porch Review, Chiron Review, Zingara Poetry Review, Passager Journal, Eclectica Magazine, The Blue Nib Literary Magazine, Broadkill Review, Cagibi, Innesfree Poetry Journal, and the Paterson Literary Review. His first chapbook is Cruel with Eagles, a self-published volume of poems illustrated by his daughter, Gretchen Valencic, formerly of Savoy. As the City of Urbana’s inaugural Poet Laureate,

Will Reger will work with the City of Urbana’s Arts and Culture Program to spearhead his proposed projects. He will also present poetry at various civic events throughout the year.