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 April 30, 2026 at 11:35 AM
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Upcoming literary programs/Events

Sunday, May 31 | 2–3:30 p.m.
Art Break: A Creative Workshop for Caregivers
Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street

Parents and caregivers are invited to take a well-deserved pause. Through guided art and poetry activities led by Cristi Donoso, this workshop offers space to reflect, recharge, and connect with others.

All materials provided—just bring yourself.

Any questions about these upcoming poetry events, please reach out to poet@alexandriava.gov.

 

 

DASHing Words in Motion

DASHing words

 

The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Transit Company have joined forces to host the 12th anniversary of Alexandria’s annual poetry contest “DASHing Words in Motion.” The annual contest has been celebrating poetry by writers 16 years or older who live, work or study in the City of Alexandria.
 

The winning poets were selected from 47 poets, and 86 poems. The “2026 DASHing Words in Motion” poets are Marta Ali, Marco Albergo, Gayle Converse, Carrie Hayner, Jennifer Lee, Noah Mink, Sophi Shi, and Edmund Smith along with Crist Donoso’s poem have had displayed inside the DASH buses and trolleys for the 2026 National Poetry Month (April). To read short bios of winning poets,  click here. 


"DASHing Words in Motion" launched in 2014 and highlighted regional poets and creative writers and placed poetry on dozens of Alexandria’s buses each April to celebrate National Poetry Month. To read the past winning poems visit the Office of the Arts website under the Literary Program section.  
For additional information about the Poet Laureate and other literary programs, visit the Office of the Arts’ website at www.alexandriava.gov/Arts; email the Poet Laureate at poet@alexandriava.gov; or call Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5565, email cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov,  

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.

Winning 2026 DASHing Words in Motion Poetry

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

Spring in Alexandria City

Virgilance

Why Jazz?

Alexandria, Ever-creating 

Together We Create

Ode to Future World Health

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

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