St. Albert Poet Laureate
The 2024-2025 St. Albert Poet Laureate | Arienette Zak
Arienette (Ari) Zak is the City of St. Albert’s fourth Poet Laureate, serving a two-year term as a literary ambassador. A longtime poet, performer, and mentor, she has been a driving force in fostering local poetry, from hosting open mics to guiding young writers through the St. Albert Rose Kane Poets.
A past Alberta Poetry Slam champion, she has published chapbooks, released spoken-word recordings, and performed at major festivals and civic events. As Poet Laureate, Zak aims to expand poetry’s presence in the city, creating inclusive spaces that connect and inspire writers of all ages.
Poetry
mesmeric momentary
Performed at City of Albert Council on April 1, 2025.
one for me
Performed at City of Albert Council on April 16, 2024.
hospice prom gown
Performed at St. Albert Public Library for International Day of Transgender Visibility on April 4, 2025.
Past Poets Laureate
Lauren Seal
2022-2024
Lauren Seal is a poet, writer, and librarian. Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines, anthologies, and once on a beer can. She mentors the teen and young adult poets of SWYC - the Spoken Word Youth Choir - and performs in the adult incarnation of the group.
To Create Joy – St. Albert Community Poem
by the People of St. Albert. Edited by Lauren Seal.
Julia Sorensen
2020-2022
Julia Sorensen is a published writer, musician, visual artist, event host and poet laureate from Treaty Six territory in Canada. She has performed spoken word and music at events such as Edmonton Poetry Festival, Push the Boat Out, Hidden Door Festival, SkirtsAFire, Seven Music Festival, and Berlin Spoken Word. She co-hosts Rock the Boat, one of Edinburgh’s monthly spoken word open mics. Her previous involvement with slam poetry informs her expressive performance style, and her work maintains a softness and ambiguity which leaves it to the audience to make meaning.
Zach Polis
2018-2020
Zach Polis is a screenwriter, playwright, and poet. He was St. Albert's first poet laureate. He has performed his poetry on CBC Radio, as well as across Canada
