The City of Reno is pleased to announce Elisa Garcia as Reno Poet Laureate for 2026-2027. Garcia was appointed by the Reno Arts & Culture Advisory Board and will serve from January 2026 to December 2027.  

“Congratulations to Elisa on her appointment as Reno Poet Laureate through 2027,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. “We’re so excited to highlight various artistic mediums at the City, and we can’t wait to see the inspiring work Elisa will create through the written word.” 

During her tenure as Reno Poet Laureate, Garcia will participate in public engagements on behalf of the City to share works of poetry or commentary on Reno life. 

“I’m deeply honored and excited to serve as the City of Reno’s next Poet Laureate, and as a Mexican American woman and the first female in this role since Gailmarie Pahmeier, I’m proud to represent both my culture and my community,” said Garcia. “Reno has shaped so much of who I am, and I look forward to celebrating its diversity and creativity.” 

Elisa Garcia is a Mexican American writer and spoken word artist whose voice was born in Los Angeles and has been shaping the Reno poetry scene since 2009. A proud member of the Spoken Views Collective, Elisa has guided young poets at Brave New Voices and made history as part of Reno’s first-ever team to compete at the National Poetry Slam.  

Through her poetry, Garcia delves into family, identity, and the tender journey of self-acceptance, using her words as both resistance and a path to healing. Now based in Reno, she facilitates writing workshops, curates special events, and occasionally taps into her competitive roots on the slam stage.  

Established by the Reno City Council in 2014, the City of Reno Poet Laureate is a distinguished position conferred upon a local poet who has a record of achievements in poetry and ability to advance poetry in the public domain.  

To learn more about the current Poet Laureate, and past appointees, visit the City’s Reno Poet Laureate page.