Kim Shuck named San Francisco’s new poet laureate
Kim Shuck, a native of San Francisco whose work explores her multiethnic roots, has been named the city’s new poet laureate.
A descendant of Poles and Cherokees, Shuck is San Francisco’s seventh poet laureate, succeeding Alejandro Murguía. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, co-founder of City Lights Bookstore, was named the city’s first poet laureate in 1998.
“Kim’s stirring poetry celebrates the spirit of San Francisco and reflects the open and inclusive values of this city,” Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement. “She embodies the legacy of our city’s bold and fearless storytellers, and as a fifth-generation resident she has a unique appreciation for what makes San Francisco special. We are honored to have her carry on the proud tradition of our poet laureates.”
A lifelong resident of San Francisco, Shuck lives in the Castro district. Her poetry collections include “Clouds Running In,” “Rabbit Stories” and “Smuggling Cherokee.” Shuck also teaches at the California College of Art, in the diversity department, and has taught at San Francisco State University. She has volunteered in San Francisco Unified School District classrooms for two decades.
Shuck is also a visual artist, and her weavings and beadwork are inspired by her Cherokee heritage.
“This is an honor, it’s a responsibility and it’s an invitation to continue the good work of previous laureates,” Shuck said in a statement. “It’s also an opportunity to add some of my own touches, both political and silly. The San Francisco Public Library was a good friend when I was a kid, primarily the Mission, Noe Valley and Castro branches, and I’m looking forward to working on these new projects.”
Appointed by Lee, Shuck was nominated by a nine-member committee of past poet laureates, city officials and Bay Area literarians. Term limits for the position are 18 to 24 months, for which Shuck will receive a one-time payment of $5,000.
The new poet laureate will deliver an inaugural address at San Francisco’s Main Library. She also will take part in poetry events and readings, collaborating with the annual literary festival Litquake, the San Francisco Public Library and WritersCorps, which teaches creative writing to young people.
“Kim Shuck is passionate about our city’s diversity and its multiplicity of voices,” City Librarian Luis Herrera said. “As San Francisco poet laureate, she will celebrate our strength of language and culture. Kim loves our city and values our libraries. We’re excited to work with her to further our city’s literary and poetic tradition by engaging our communities and bringing us together through poetry.”