Cathedral City has a poet in charge for the first time in its history. The city has appointed Clare Chu, an author, curator and arts scholar, as its inaugural Poet Laureate, launching a two-year honorary and voluntary tenure that begins immediately.
The appointment was announced by Cathedral City officials, according to discovercathedralcity.com, with Chu set to begin her term right away. Assistant City Manager Anne Ambrose praised the pick, saying “Clare's experience, heart for community, and artistic breadth bring immense value to Cathedral City,” per the same city announcement. Ambrose added that Chu's work would strengthen cultural identity and make poetry more accessible to residents, the city said.
Chu brings an unusual resume to the role. Beyond being a published poet, she has authored 12 books and numerous academic articles on Asian art, and her expertise in Chinese snuff bottles spans more than 40 years. She currently serves as a director of Snuff Bottle Collectors of California and has previously worked as a gallery owner, exhibition curator, auction consultant, lecturer, and director and secretary of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, according to the city's announcement.
A Curator's Path Into Poetry
Chu's curatorial credentials include major exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, the city noted. On the literary side, she authored The Sand Dune Teacher in 2020 and Objects Heavy in This Life in 2022, and her poetry has appeared in several literary publications. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021, according to the city of Cathedral City.
The Poet Laureate role itself is designed to promote literary arts, cultural identity and community engagement, officials said. As is typical for such posts, the position is honorary and voluntary rather than a paid city job.
Workshops, School Visits and Poetry on Bus Shelters
During her term, Chu plans to lead new programs meant to encourage creativity and poetry-based community connection, officials said. Among them: free community poetry workshops for people of all ages and collaborations with local schools to spark student interest in writing, according to NBC Palm Springs.
Chu also intends to bring poetry into public spaces such as parks and bus shelters, the station reported, aiming to make the art form part of everyday life rather than something confined to readings and classrooms. Her broader slate of programs is expected to include a youth poetry project, an annual anthology highlighting local voices and perspectives, and seasonal poetry readings and cultural events tied to city celebrations and festivals, per the Uken Report.
First Stop: A Halloween Crowd
Chu's debut as Poet Laureate will not be a quiet one. Her first public appearance in the role is scheduled for Cathedral City's 10th Annual Halloween Spooktacular this Sunday, October 25, the city confirmed. The family event runs from noon to 3 p.m. in downtown Cathedral City in front of City Hall, per the city's event listing.
Cathedral City's move follows a pattern seen elsewhere in the region: Palm Desert named its own first Poet Laureate in 2023, and UC Riverside described Davis as having been an essential part of the desert arts community, according to UC Riverside. For now, Cathedral City's residents can expect to see Chu's work show up not just on library shelves, but possibly at the bus stop down the street.
