Centrum is delighted to announce Copper Canyon Press poet Erin Belieu as the Artistic Director of the Port Townsend Writers' Conference.

Erin is the author of three collections of poetry. Her first book, Infanta (1995), was a winner of the National Poetry Series, selected by Hayden Carruth. Infanta was also chosen as a best book of the year by The Washington Post and Library Journal. 

Her second collection, One Above & One Below, was the winner of the Midland Authors Prize in poetry and the Ohioana prize, and her most recent collection, Black Box, was a finalist in 2007 for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She is presently Director of The Graduate Creative Writing Program at Florida State University.

"I couldn't be more pleased or excited to be the new Artistic Director for the Port Townsend Writers’ Conference,” says Belieu, who taught at the Conference in 2004 and 2010. “I believe it is the most creative and dynamic writers' conference in the country. I'm truly honored to be a part of such a strong artistic tradition and will work to continue the quality programming the Conference is known for nationally."

“Erin comes to the postion with a strong knowledge of the Writers’ Conference, in addition to being filled with energy and ideas that will allow the Conference to grow and expand,” says Centrum Executive Director John MacElwee. “We look forward to working with her.”

Centrum’s artistic directors work closely with program managers to select faculty and design and shape Centrum’s year-round artistic experiences. Belieu joins Lucinda Carver (The Port Townsend Chamber Music Festival), Suzy Thompson (The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes), Corey Harris (The Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival) and John Clayton (Jazz Port Townsend).

Belieu succeeds outgoing director Cristina García, whose term ended in July, and whom Centrum thanks for her excellent work. “Cristina did an especially good job in recruiting a diverse faculty, and in exploring themes of diversity through literary mediums which, I believe, will resonate at the Conference for years to come,” says MacElwee.

For more information on Erin Belieu, and Centrum's writing programs, visit Centrum's writing site.