News Release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – Since being appointed in February, Community Poet Jesse Holth and Community Youth Poet Bennett Gilleland have been bringing poetry to life in Saanich. The artists have been working to inspire and engage residents, and they invite everyone to participate and celebrate this fall.

Whether you're a lifelong poetry lover or just curious to learn more, Saanich is offering many opportunities to explore the literary arts. Among them is the upcoming Poetry Bazaar, which Youth Community Poet Bennett Gilleland hopes will reconnect people with poetry in a personal and tangible way.

"The Poetry Bazaar is an event that gets back to the roots of print poetry. One hundred and fifty to two hundred years ago, you could walk onto a busy street and find people selling printed poetic works, and I want this event to harken back to a time when poetry could be bought, felt in your hands, and you had a chance to meet the artists who poured their heart onto the page."

For Holth, the role is about more than raising the profile of the literary arts.

"Being the Community Poet is about more than just bringing poetry into everyday spaces and raising the profile of the literary arts in Saanich. It's also about connecting with people, it's about shared experiences, and how poetry can help us be more empathetic, curious and engaged, something that is more relevant now than ever."

Residents can connect with local poets, celebrate community creativity and experience poetry in a variety of ways through the events and initiatives planned for the coming weeks, including:

Saanich Poetry Bazaar

November 14, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
Cedar Hill Recreation Centre – Multipurpose Room
3220 Cedar Hill Road

Hosted by Saanich's Community Youth Poet, Bennett Gilleland, the Poetry Bazaar will showcase the creativity of emerging poets. Discover original poetry through live readings and unique works for sale, meet local writers and enjoy the opportunity to have a personalized poem written on the spot. Refreshments will be provided for this free, all-ages event.

Poetry Contest & Community Poetry Booklet (November)

Community Poet Jesse Holth will showcase the creativity of local writers with the announcement of this year's poetry contest winner and honourable mentions. Selected works will be published in a booklet, alongside a community poem woven together from lines submitted by residents. The booklet will be available through Saanich's Little Free Libraries in late November.

Poetry Postcards

This November, the District will continue to offer poetry postcards that showcase local poets and visual artists working together to create original works that combine poetry and visual art. Each postcard pairs an original poem with a unique artwork, celebrating local talent and offering residents a new way to experience the arts. The postcards will be available for no charge through Saanich Recreation Centres and in select Little Free Libraries across the District.

Learn more:

Whether looking for an upcoming reading, workshop or Community Poet appearance, residents can stay connected through the Community Poetry website. The online hub highlights local poetry events and activities while connecting visitors with partner organizations, helping foster a vibrant and accessible literary community.

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca