Lake Superior Writers Poet Laureate

2006-2008 Duluth's First Poet Laureate

Recap: "A Short History of Poetry in Duluth" || Minnesota Poet Laureates Sutter and Connolly

Lake Superior Writers named Barton Sutter the first Duluth Poet Laureate on April 22, 2006
Lake Superior Writers established the position in Duluth as a way of honoring our area poets and encouraging the enjoyment of poetry. Duluth was the first city in Minnesota to name a Poet Laureate.

Sponsoring organizations for the Duluth 2006-2008 poet laureate project included Lake Superior Writers, the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, the Duluth Public Arts Commission, UMD English Department, UMD Academic Affairs, UMD College of Liberal Arts, the College of St. Scholastica English Department, Lake Superior College, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Northern Lights Books & Gifts, Arrowhead Reading Council, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

About Barton Sutter

Barton Sutter is a Minnesota poet, essayist, and fiction writer who has won awards , including the Minnesota Book Award, in all three genres. He is also the recipient of the George Morrison Artist Award, annually given to one person by the Arrowhead Arts Council. Sutter was given the honor for his longtime contributions to the arts in the arrowhead region of Minnesota.

Sutter is the author of three collections of poetry published by BOA Editions: Cedarhome (1977), The Book of Names (1993) and Farewell to the Starlight in Whiskey (2004), as well as Pine Creek Parish Hall (1985), published by Sandhills Press. Sutter's collection of short stories, My Father's War (1992), and his collection of essays, Cold Comfort (1999), were both published by the Univ. of Minn. Press. He has appeared on and written for public radio, adapted his poems for the stage, and performs with his brother, Ross Sutter, as a music and poetry duo. (Photo by Catherine Koemptgen)

Sutter teaches English and creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In the summer months, he can be found in one of his four canoes. He started his college career at Bemidji State and Southwest Minnesota State University. He earned a fellowship to graduate school at Syracuse University, where he earned an MA in Creative Writing. He moved back to the Midwest, living and working in St. Cloud and Minneapolis, before moving to Duluth in 1987.

Ted Kooser, U.S. Poet Laureate, chose one of Sutter's poems for his national American Life in Poetry project, a syndicated column highlighting great American poetry. This is what Kooser said: "Rhyme has a way of lightening the spirit of a poem, and in this instance, the plural, spirits, is the appropriate word choice. Lots of readers can relate to "Sober Song," which originally appeared in North Dakota Quarterly."

Sober Song
Farewell to the starlight in whiskey,
So long to the sunshine in beer.
The booze made me cocky and frisky
But worried the man in the mirror.

Goodnight to the moonlight in brandy,
Adieu to the warmth of the wine.
I think I can finally stand me
Without a glass or a stein.

Bye-bye to the balm in the vodka,
Ta-ta to the menthol in gin.
I'm trying to do what I ought to,
Rejecting that snake medicine.

I won't miss the blackouts and vomit,
The accidents and regret.
If I can stay off the rotgut,
There might be a chance for me yet.

So, so long to God in a bottle,
To the lies of rum and vermouth.
Let me slake my thirst with water
And the sweet, transparent truth.

2006-08 Duluth Poet Laureate Events.

Oct 21, 2006, Sat 7:30 pm. Duluth Poet Laureate Inaugural Reading: Barton Sutter at Weber Music Hall at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Sutter’s brother, Ross Sutter, a renowned musician, joined him.

Nov 4, 2006, Sat 1 pm. “A Short Oral History of Poetry in Duluth,” in the Green Room of the Duluth Public Library. A panel presentation and discussion with Barton Sutter (moderator), Mara Hart, Cal Benson, and Ellie Schoenfeld. The event will also included a display of regional books and journals. See recap of the Poet Laureate event "A Short History of Poetry in Duluth"

April 28, 2007, Sat 7 pm - "Duluth Outloud: A Sense of Place" at LaFayette Community Center, 3026 Minnesota Avenue, Duluth. This poetry reading, celebrating Duluth and the surrounding region, was organized by Duluth poet laureate Bart Sutter. The poetry reading featured 12 poets, including Cal Benson, Gary Boelhower, Deborah Cooper, Jean Alice Jacobson, Jim Johnson, Paul Lundgren, Liz Minette, Sheila Packa, Ellie Schoenfeld, Bart Sutter, Ryan Vine, and Connie Wanek

Oct 20, 2007, Sat 7:30 pm, "Poets Go to Work," a Poetry Reading organized by Duluth Poet Laureate Barton Sutter, took place at the Paul Wellstone Hall in the Labor Temple, 2002 London Road, Duluth. The event featured five poets: Barton Sutter, Ellie Schoenfeld, Don Dass, Jim Johnson, and Sheila Packa. Local musician Jim Hall performed songs relating to work. This event was co-sponsored by the Central Labor Body of the Duluth AFL-CIO, and Labor World. Books for sale were provided by Northern Lights Books & Gifts.

The Poets Go Wild, A Reading of Nature Poems was be offered at Hartley Nature Center on March 22, 2008. The event featured local poets Connie Wanek, Deborah Cooper, Al Hunter, Jane Whitledge. and Duluth poet laureate Bart Sutter. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, and books will be available for purchase. Frank Montano provided music.

See a story about two Minnesota Poet Laureates, Barton Sutter and Carol Connolly.

Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.