The Philbrick Poetry Project was established to honor Charles and Deborah Philbrick by promoting the art of poetry in New England. Professor Philbrick taught at Brown University and published several books of poetry, including New England Suite and Nobody Laughs, Nobody Cries. Deborah Philbrick contributed her talents throughout her lifetime to help charitable organizations and mentor many of Providence’s aspiring young poets.

The Philbrick Poetry Project brings together established and emerging New England poets for an evening of readings to showcase their work. This event takes place in April, during National Poetry Month. The program encourages broad public engagement and creative accomplishment through collaboration with local artists and arts organizations.

Generous funding has been provided by the Philbrick family and by donations to the Philbrick Poetry Project Fund. This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

2013 | David O’Connell, A Better Way to Fall | selected by Dennis Barone
2012 | Lucile Burt, Neither Created Nor Destroyed | selected by Lisa Starr
2011 | Ellen LaFleche, Workers’ Rites | selected by Dana Gioia
2010 | Kathleen M. Kelley, The Waiting Room | selected by Marge Piercy
2009 | Jennifer E. Whitten, Auction | selected by Marilyn Nelson
2008 | John Brush, Chrysalis | selected by Forrest Gander
2007  | Leslie McGrath, Toward Anguish | selected by D.H. Melhem
2006 | James F. Connolly, Last Summer | selected by Martin Espada
2005  | Lynn Tudor Deming, Heady Rubbish | selected by Robert Pinsky
2004 | Justin Lacour, Mr. Gravity’s Blue Holiday | selected by John Ashbery
2003 | Linda Voris, AntiGraphi | selected by Mei-mei Berssenbrugge
2002 | Laura Cherry, What We Planted | selected by Stanley Moss
2001 | Nehassaiu deGannes, Percussion Salt & Honey | selected by Michael Harper
2000 | Mimi White, The Singed Horizon | selected by Robert Creeley
1999 | Marjorie Milligan, Coats Field |  selected by C.D. Wright
 

In the past, we’ve also recognized an emerging poet with the publication of chapbook. To purchase a chapbook, please call the Athenæum at 401-421-6970.