Rumford Woman Named State's New Poet Laureate

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Tina Cane, of Rumford, is Rhode Island's new poet laureate. She replaces Rick Benjamin, who moved to California, Gov. Gina Raimondo's office announced today.

The governor called Cane "a people's poet," and said "can't wait to see what she will achieve."

Governor Gina M. Raimondo today appointed Tina Cane of Rumford as Rhode Island Poet Laureate. Cane replaces Rick Benjamin, who resigned late last year to accept a teaching and administrative position at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"I am thrilled to have Tina serve as our new State Poet Laureate," said Raimondo. "She is a people's poet. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to make the arts more accessible, bringing poetry and a spirit of creative self-expression to Rhode Island schools. Tina truly embodies the powerful role art will play in Rhode Island's future, and I can't wait to see what she will achieve."

Cane founded and directs Writers-in-the-Schools, RI, an educational program that brings professional writers into public school classrooms. She herself has 20 years classroom experience and has taught French, English, and creative writing in schools here and in New York City.

Her work has been published in literary journals, such as Cargo, Spinning Jenny, The Literary Review, Barrow Street, Tupelo Quarterly, Two Serious Ladies, and The Good Men Project. A book-length poem, The Fifth Thought, appeared in 2008. Cane also has two forthcoming books: Dear Elena: Letter for Elena Ferrante (with art by Esther Solondz) from Skillman Avenue Press and Once More With Feeling from Veliz Books, out in early 2017.

She holds a master's degree in French Literature from the Université de Paris IV-Nanterre.

Cane said she was honored to be selected as poet laureate. Her goal will be to advocate so "every Rhode Islander gets a chance to develop a love of literature, to explore self-expression and to understand that poetry, because it is such a flexible form, truly belongs to everyone."

The State Poet Laureate serves as the principal advocate for poetry in Rhode Island, Raimondo's office said. The position was established in 1989. Cane is the sixth poet laureate.

"Previous state poets are Michael Harper (1989-1994), C.D. Wright (1994-1999), Thomas Chandler (1999-2006), Lisa Starr (2007-2012), and Rick Benjamin (2012-2016).."