Think Poetry’s Not For You? The Sharon Springs Poetry Festival Would Like A Word.
For 10 years, the Klinkhart Hall Art Center’s been bringing in world-class poets for readings, workshop, and more. All free. We promise they'll blow--and change--your mind. Who knew there was a long-running poetry festival in the tiny Upstate New York Village of Sharon Springs (pop. 496)?
One that brings together world-class, prize-winning poets from across the country for readings, workshops, and discussions?
All free.
Think poetry’s not your thing?
What if you’re wrong?
The Klinkhart Hall Arts Center’s Sharon Springs Poetry Festival will mark its 10th year this October 15-17 with all of the above and more.
Founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet (and part-time Sharon Springs resident) Paul Muldoon after a “What-if?” conversation that turned into so much more, over the years the Poetry Festival has featured people like Joyce Carol Oates, Erica Jong, Major Jackson, Billy Collins, Tracy K. Smith, and Robert Pinsky. (If you want to see who else you’ve missed, they’re all profiled at Klinkhart Arts.
That’s also where you can sign up for the workshops and Thursday Dinner with the Poets, an intimate gathering and fundraiser at The American Hotel and the only thing with a fee.)
The 2026 poets are:
Sherma Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene poet and novelist, three-time world heavyweight poetry slam champion, and co-writer of the screenplay for the movie Smoke Signals, which won two awards at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.
Tina Chang, the author of four poetry collections, including Hybrida, which NPR called “one of the most important books of poetry to come along in years.” Director of Creative Writing at Binghamton University (her alma mater), Chang is Brooklyn Poet Laureate, working to bridge the gaps between youth and cultures.
Mary Jo-Salter, poet, essayist, playwright, and lyricist and former editor at the Atlantic Monthly, poetry editor at the New Republic, and co-editor of the fourth and fifth editions of the Norton Anthology of Poetry. Salter is professor emerita in the Writing Seminars at John Hopkins University.
Paul Muldoon, an international award-winning poet, professor of poetry, as well as an editor, critic, and translator. Festival founder, he keeps things running.
All of them bring something different to the table.
Poetry isn’t stuffy. It’s emotion. Audience members from a past Sharon Springs Poetry Festival laugh in delight.
>>If you’re just tipping your toes into the local poetry scene, you’ll probably want to start with Friday’s poets’ reading, 7pm, at Sharon Springs Central School, where during the day, the poets will be working with students.
>>Pre-registration (and poems) are required for Saturday's adult workshops, 10am-noon at spots throughout the village.
>>The panel discussion, 1pm, Saturday is open to everyone. (The spot for that is still being finalized. Check KHAC [link] as the festival gets closer.) Its goal is to open a broader conversation about poetry, creativity, and the role of the arts in public life, and it’s always interesting.
But back to Friday’s readings in the school auditorium, where Muldoon will be emceeing as well as reading from his own work.
“Having the poets recite their poems is a whole different ballgame,” said Klinkhart Arts’ Denise Kelly (and the one Muldoon had that “What-if?” conversation with those 10 years ago.)
“The community has always been behind this. Even people who were ‘sure’ they didn’t like poetry,” some of whom showed up just to make her happy; others she not-quite dragged in kicking and screaming, but you get the picture. They saw things differently once they were there.
What is it about poetry?
“It’s an expression of emotion. It’s powerful,” Kelly said. (And it’s not what you think you think it is.).
For the poets, the Sharon Springs Poetry Festival offers smalltown hospitality, Kelly said, so much so that Blue Flower Arts, one of the premier talent agencies in the Northeast has begun reaching out with poets interested in being part of it.
“It’s really something special,” Kelly said.
Only in Sharon Springs.
Sometimes, poetry brings your to your feet. 2026 marks the 10th year for the Sharon Springs Poetry Festival. Free readings, workshops, and discussions.
