The 2026 St. Albert Poet Laureate
The City of St. Albert and St. Albert Public Library are pleased to announce Tyler Enfield as St. Albert’s new Poet Laureate.
Tyler Enfield
2026-2027
Tyler Enfield is a poet, novelist, and visual artist. His poetry has appeared in journals like Grain, Prism, and the Best Canadian Poetry anthology. It’s also been adapted into a virtual-reality experience at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea, and the multi- award winning film, "Invisible World," produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
Book awards include the Robert Kroetch City of Edmonton Prize, High Plains Book Award, Western Writers of America Award, and a nomination for the Stephen Leacock Medal.
His visual art has been exhibited throughout Canada and beyond, including the Art Gallery of St. Albert.
Role of the Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate is an honorary position with a term of two years. During that term, the Laureate will be recognized as a cultural and literary ambassador, act as a champion for poetry, language, and the arts, and represent St. Albert as Laureate during readings at civic functions and public poetry events.
In addition to the distinction of being named St. Albert’s Poet Laureate, they shall receive $1,000 at the beginning of each year of their term.
Past Poets Laureate
Arienette Zak
2024-2025
Arienette (Ari) Zak is the City of St. Albert’s fourth Poet Laureate, serving a two-year term as a literary ambassador. A longtime poet, performer, and mentor, she has been a driving force in fostering local poetry, from hosting open mics to guiding young writers through the St. Albert Rose Kane Poets.
A past Alberta Poetry Slam champion, she has published chapbooks, released spoken-word recordings, and performed at major festivals and civic events. As Poet Laureate, Zak aims to expand poetry’s presence in the city, creating inclusive spaces that connect and inspire writers of all ages.
Lauren Seal
2022-2024
Lauren Seal is a poet, writer, and librarian. Her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines, anthologies, and once on a beer can. She mentors the teen and young adult poets of SWYC - the Spoken Word Youth Choir - and performs in the adult incarnation of the group.
To Create Joy – St. Albert Community Poem
by the People of St. Albert. Edited by Lauren Seal.
Julia Sorensen
2020-2022
Julia Sorensen is a published writer, musician, visual artist, event host and poet laureate from Treaty Six territory in Canada. She has performed spoken word and music at events such as Edmonton Poetry Festival, Push the Boat Out, Hidden Door Festival, SkirtsAFire, Seven Music Festival, and Berlin Spoken Word. She co-hosts Rock the Boat, one of Edinburgh’s monthly spoken word open mics. Her previous involvement with slam poetry informs her expressive performance style, and her work maintains a softness and ambiguity which leaves it to the audience to make meaning.
Zach Polis
2018-2020
Zach Polis is a screenwriter, playwright, and poet. He was St. Albert's first poet laureate. He has performed his poetry on CBC Radio, as well as across Canada
