Literary Programs

The City of Alexandria’s Poet Laureate program was established to promote appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through poetry.
Page updated on December 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
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Upcoming literary programs/Events

Sunday, January 25, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. 
“Art Break: A Creative Workshop for Parents and Caregivers”
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA

Parents and caregivers, enjoy an afternoon of making art as a way to rest, recharge, and share the complexities of caregiving with others. 
Caregiving is important work that can be joyful, daunting, exhausting, and fulfilling. Often, the work of caregiving, whether for children or other family or friends, can feel invisible to others. In this guided workshop, we’ll take time to recharge by exploring art and poetry as avenues for self-expression, rest, and connection with others. All materials will be provided. 
If you wish to register, email: poet@alexandriava.gov
 

Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.  
“Welcome Reception for Cristi Donoso, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria”  
Formal program begins at 2:30 p.m. Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA.

Meet Cristi Donoso and learn about her plans for the City’s Poet Laureate Program during her tenue. Light refreshments will be served.    The reception is a collaborative project between the Alexandria City Public Libraries, and the Office of the Arts, a division of the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities.  

Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
“Poem in Your Pocket Celebration”  
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., formal program will begin at 7 p.m. The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA.

Cristi Donoso, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria  will lead the “Poem in Your Pocket Celebration.”  The Celebration will be held at the Athenaeum, (201 Prince Street). Ms. Donoso will be joined by the 2025 Dashing Words in Motion poets, who will have their poems displayed inside the DASH buses and trolleys in April.  

Limited seating will be available, so reservations are encouraged. If you wish to read a poem, or to make a reservation email poet@alexandriava.gov. If you wish to read at the event, please email: poet@alexandriava.gov
 

DASHing Words in Motion

DASHing words

 

Now in its 12th year, "DASHing Words in Motion" is an annual contest held in collaboration between the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH). Open to writers ages 16 and older who live, work, or study in Alexandria, the contest welcomes original poems that showcase your unique voice, creativity, and connection to the city. 

The poetry contest’s theme stems from DASH’s mottos, “Keeping Alexandria Moving” and/or “Driving Alexandria Safely Home,” as well as from everyday scenes such as bus stops, neighborhoods, roads, and various modes of local transportation. Writers may also reflect on the sense of community, shared spaces, and the human connections we form as we travel from one place to another. Winning poems will be published and placed on DASH buses and trolleys for the 2026 National Poetry Month. 

"DASHing Words in Motion" launched in 2014 and has highlighted our region's poets and creative writers and has placed poetry on dozens of Alexandria’s buses each April to celebrate National Poetry Month. 

Submit your poetry HERE. Submissions are due by Friday, January 16, 2026. 

Past Winning Poets and Their Poems

Poet Laureate: Cristi Donoso

Cristi Donoso headshot

Maria Cristina (Cristi) Donoso is an Ecuadorian American poet, writer, editor, and translator. Her poems, essays, and stories have been published by or are forthcoming in Pleiades, Waxwing, The Journal, The Cincinnati Review, The Threepenny Review, Best Small Fictions 2024, and others. She is a former PEN/Faulkner Writer in Residence and previous editor of Folio Literary Journal and a finalist for the 2024 Akron Poetry Prize and the 2024 Gatewood Prize.

Born in Quito, she now lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Cristi's work often explores migration, girlhood, grief, and motherhood. She loves to write about the role of art in personal and public life, and advocates for accessibility in educational, literary, and creative spaces. 

Cristi's professional career includes 14 years as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. After receiving her B.A. in French Language and Literature along with a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, she received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. She also received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from American University, Washington, D.C.

 

Works by

Poetry

Spring in Alexandria City

Virgilance

Why Jazz?

Alexandria, Ever-creating 

Together We Create

Ode to Future World Health

Readings

RecFest, Saturday, May 3, 2025, Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue

Wear Orange Rally, Moms Demand Action, Friday, June 6, 2025, Market Square, 301 King Street

Jazz Fest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street

Alexandria's 276th Birthday, Saturday, July 12, 2025, Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street

About the Poet Laureate Program

In 2004, then-Councilman Ludwig Gaines proposed the designation of a Poet Laureate for the City of Alexandria. In response, a steering committee of citizens and City staff was established to develop a protocol for selecting a Poet Laureate. On April 25, 2006, City Council received the proposal submitted by the steering committee. Following a public hearing on May 20, 2006, City Council unanimously approved the establishment of the Poet Laureate program.  

In 2007, The City of Alexandria's Poet Laureate program was reestablished to promote appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through poetry. 

Former Poets Laureate