Marty Gervais

Poet Laureate 2011-2019; Poet Laureate Emeritus (as of 2019)

Well known Windsor artist Marty Gervais was the City of Windsor's first poet laureate, currently appointed to the honourary role of Poet Laureate Emeritus. An award winning poet, journalist, photographer, playwright, historian, editor, and teacher, Mr. Gervais said he would use his poet laureate appointment to create and read poetry in public places. His laureateship aimed to promote poetry to a wide and appreciative audience, while allowing the poet to strengthen the public's relationship to literature and to contribute to the cultural life of the city.

Mr. Gervais has won many awards and earned widespread recognition for his work, including the Toronto's Harbourfront Festival Prize for his contributions to Canadian letters and emerging writers. He was also awarded the City of Windsor Mayor's Award for literature on two separate occasions.

As the Resident Writing Professional at the University of Windsor, Mr. Gervais teaches courses in editing, publishing and creative writing. He also spends time in local area elementary and high schools, sharing his passion for creating with students of all ages. Mr. Gervais mentors these students in creative writing and editing, with a focus on the process for publishing their works. Five candidates were shortlisted for the first City of Windsor Poet Laureate competition: Bobby Bansal, C. H. "Marty" Gervais, Donna Hreceniuk, Dorothy Mahoney, and Laurie Smith.

Mr. Gervais was chosen by the Poet Laureate Selection Committee and confirmed by Council. He served two consecutive terms (2011 to 2019) before being appointed to the honorary role of Poet Laureate Emeritus.

New Works by Marty Gervais as Poet Laureate

Projects by Marty Gervais as Poet Laureate

Walk in the Woods: Portrait of the Ojibway Prairie Complex, 2021.
A Dance of Self-Isolation: Covid Poems from the Biggest Little City in Canda, 2020.
Windsor's Resilient Voices initiative, 2021
Poetry at the Manor - Vol. 5, 2018
Five Days Walking Five Towns - Poetry Book, 2017
Because We Have All Lived Here - Windsor125 Poetry Project, 2017
Poetry at the Manor - Vol. 4, 2017
Poetry at the Manor - Vol. 3, 2016
Touch the Darkness - Poetry Book, 2015
Poetry at the Manor - Vol. 2, 2015
Poetry on the Water - A Tall Ships Event, 2013
3 Days in August/Whisky Sour City Anthology, 2013
Poetry at the Manor - Vol.1, 2013
Evening with Fred Wah - Canada's Parliamentary Poet Laureate, 2012

Marty Gervais Marty's Poet Laureate Blog Black Moss Press Works During Term Good Morning The Magistrate's House Simon Girty Tecumseh - The Night Before The Capture of Detroit Future City on the Detroit River From the third floor of the Duff-Baby House Sandwich, Ontario The House Guest, and Mary Walker at Willistead