SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Academy of American Poets announced that Sharon Kennedy-Nolle, Sullivan County’s poet laureate, is a Poets Laureate Fellow for 2023.

Kennedy-Nolle is one of 23 individuals serving as poets laureate of states, counties and cities across the United States to receive the honor.

Her project, “Catskilled Poetry for Healing,” will use poetry as a tool for healing and self-empowerment, and will be targeted to residents, including youth, afflicted by mental illness and substance abuse.

The project is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Catholic Charities. The Hurleyville Performing Arts Center is also a partner.

A permanent public arts installation featuring the workshop’s poetry mounted on plaques will be installed in the county’s 11 public library locations.

The Sullivan County Poet Laureate Project is administered by the Sullivan Public Library Alliance—the nine public libraries in Sullivan County.