Gloria Muñoz is St. Pete’s new Poet Laureate

From left: Mayor Ken Welch, Gloria Muñoz and Celeste Davis. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.

Mayor Ken Welch and the St. Petersburg City Council honored poet and educator Gloria Muñoz during Thursday’s meeting, naming her the city’s newest Poet Laureate.

Muñoz, who teaches Creative Writing at Eckerd College, is the author of Danzirly, winner of the Academy of American Poets’ 2019 Ambroggio Prize, and the Gold Medal Florida Book Award. Her writing has appeared in Puerto del Sol, VIDA Review, Acentos Review, Lumina, the Rumpus, Yes Poetry and elsewhere.

“I am excited for how much St. Pete has embraced the arts,” said Muñoz, a St. Petersburg native and the daughter of Colombian-American immigrants. “And I’m thrilled to be the first Latina in this position. I think that says something for the city we are, and where we’re going.

“As we’ve seen in the wake of the pandemic, there are changes that need to be addressed in terms of race and social division – and I am very, very excited to be a part of that change in St. Petersburg, and help spotlight BIPOC voices and work more inter-generationally, as well.”

Muñoz succeeds Helen Pruitt Wallace, who was named St. Petersburg’s Poet Laureate in 2016.

“Our new Poet Laureate will help to shine a light on St. Petersburg as a city of artists – and writers,” said Celeste Davis, Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the city. “Having an advocate for creative writing and literature will enable the city to better express the artistic experiences that are available to everyone in our community.

“It’s important to give voice to the unique and inclusive experiences in St. Pete – and Gloria Muñoz will do just that.”

Prior to the ceremony, Muñoz wasn’t completely clear on what her responsibilities as Poet Laureate would be. “But my understanding of it is that I’m someone who’s a champion of poetry for the city. Meaning everyone in the city.

“Meaning working with educational programs, working with adults and maybe with our older community and our immigrant community, figuring out programming that has long arms that become roots after a while. So that when my term is done, they’re established.”

Peter Meinke was named St. Petersburg’s first Poet Laureate in 2009.