Tacoma has been selecting poets laureate since 2008. Here’s who the next one will be

Tacoma’s Arts Commission selected Mari Griffin to serve as Tacoma’s poet laureate from 2025 through 2027.

Griffin is a poet and artist based in Tacoma. She founded events like the Black Night Market – specifically for businesses and artists in Pierce and King counties. As part of her responsibilities as poet laureate, Griffin will be responsible for hosting and participating in workshops and events that uplift the literary arts scene in Tacoma.

“Mari Griffin brings a strong, beautiful voice as our new Poet Laureate,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Heide Fernandez-Llamazares in a news release. “We were impressed by her thoughtful and thorough ideas for this position and related workshops, and look forward to seeing her carry out her vision.”

Griffin, as well as outgoing poet laureate Christian Paige, were recognized at the music venue Real Art Tacoma in South Tacoma on Aug. 17. Tacoma’s poet laureate program has been ongoing since 2008.

This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Isha Trivedi

The News Tribune

Isha Trivedi covers Tacoma city hall, Pierce County government and education for The News Tribune. She has previously worked at The Mercury News, the Palo Alto Weekly, the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. She grew up in San Jose, California and graduated with a bachelor of arts in journalism and anthropology from the George Washington University. She is a proud alumna of The GW Hatchet, her alma mater’s independent student newspaper, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for her work with the publication.