Phylisha Villanueva says she wasn’t much of a reader as a child, until stresses in her family life led her to books.

Westchester County celebrates National Poetry Month with open mic nights, readings, conversations and performances throughout April.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer and ArtsWestchester together announced this morning that Phylisha Villanueva of Yonkers will be Westchester County’s newest Poet Laureate.

A yearlong poetry project that spanned 21 workshops and more than 400 participants throughout Westchester County concludes with the premiere of a documentary as well as a selection of poetry readings on October 26 in ArtsWestchester’s gallery.

ArtsWestchester has initiated a call for proposals to help them find and appoint the next Westchester County Poet Laureate.

Local poet Jennifer Franklin is celebrating National Poetry Month with the release of her new book, If Some God Shakes Your House, which was published by Four Way Books just a few weeks ago. In this collection of poems, Franklin reimagines Antigone as modern, unabashed and devoted to a truth that is not always reflected in her society.

Poetry inspires and awakens. It encourages its readers to explore their own lives and experiences in relation to the world around them. April is National Poetry Month and arts organizations in Westchester are stepping up to celebrate with an array of poetry-themed events throughout the month.