Published on April 22, 2026
City of St. Albert and St. Albert Public Library Announce New Poet Laureate
The City of St. Albert and St. Albert Public Library are pleased to introduce Tyler Enfield as the City’s new Poet Laureate. Mayor Scott Olivieri announced Enfield’s appointment at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7, in celebration of National Poetry Month.
Enfield will serve for a two-year term as St. Albert’s fifth Poet Laureate, representing the City during readings at civic functions and public poetry events.
During his term, Enfield will act as a cultural and literary ambassador, championing poetry, language and the arts, while encouraging community participation and creative expression. He will receive an honorarium of $1,000 annually, thanks to a continuing partnership between St. Albert Public Library and the City of St. Albert.
“I love how poetry has a way of stopping us in our tracks, inviting us to pay closer attention to the small, the ordinary, the moments we might otherwise miss,” says Enfield.
“I am honoured to serve as St. Albert’s next Poet Laureate, and I hope my time in this role will create space for every kind of voice - for new poets finding their footing, and for those already writing to be heard more clearly. In a fast-paced world, poetry reminds us to slow down and spend a little more time in the moment. I look forward to sharing these moments with you.”
Enfield is a poet, novelist and visual artist with deep roots in St. Albert’s literary and cultural community. His poetry has appeared in Grain, Existere, and Best Canadian Poetry, and has been adapted into a National Film Board award-winning film Invisible World, as well as a virtual reality installation exhibited in Korea. His writing career began in St. Albert, where he has led hundreds of school visits, workshops and residencies, exhibited visual art at the Art Gallery of St. Albert, and spent many years connecting with residents as a regular vendor at the St. Albert Farmers’ Market.
Pictured: Arienette (Ari) Zak, outgoing Poet Laureate
Enfield takes over from outgoing Poet Laureate Arienette (Ari) Zak. A longtime poet, performer and mentor, Zak served as the City’s fourth Poet Laureate and was a driving force in fostering local poetry. A past Alberta Poetry Slam champion, she hosted open mics, mentored young writers through the St. Albert Rose Kane Poets, published chapbooks, released spoken word recordings and performed at major festivals and civic events. Her original works were featured at community and civic occasions including City Council meetings, the Mayor’s 2025 State of the City address and library events, helping to expand poetry’s presence in inclusive and meaningful ways.
The City of St. Albert and St. Albert Public Library thank Zak for her outstanding service and lasting contributions and wish her every success in her future endeavours.
For more, visit sapl.ca/poetlaureate
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Last edited: April 22, 2026