Kevin Scot Graham, Sullivan County's Newest Poet Laureate

WJFF - The Local Edition - Special Report

Kevin Scot Graham has been named Sullivan County's fifth poet laureate, serving from 2024 to 2026.

Graham's artistic talents span music, visual arts, and poetry, with the latter being a constant in his life. He plays multiple instruments, including the guitar and a six-string ukulele. After earning a music degree, he moved to New York City and worked as a performer and producer. His documentary photography gained recognition in *Art in America*, and he received two Emmy awards for lighting direction. In 2016, Graham relocated to Narrowsburg, where he exhibited his artwork at the Narrowsburg Union and performed in the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Salon Series.

His teenage summers were spent in the Canadian wilderness through an experiential education program, where he became certified to guide younger teens through rugged terrains. This period exposed him to nature-focused Indigenous spirituality, personal responsibility, and group dynamics, deeply influencing his values and igniting his passion for working with youth.

Graham's profound connection to nature and his wilderness experiences are central to his poetic inspiration. This affinity with the natural world drew him to Sullivan County, where the forests and "the smell of the pines" continually inspire him.

He is currently working on a poetry book, expected to be published in early summer. A strong advocate for inclusivity in the arts, Graham is particularly interested in supporting marginalized voices. "Sharing my love for reading and writing poetry, I feel reverence and honor when I get the opportunity to inspire someone," he said.

Graham is passionate about nurturing creativity in others and believes in the artistic potential of everyone. He sees art as a powerful tool for connection and is eager to use his position as poet laureate to build bridges among different community groups in the county.

The poet laureate program is largely funded by the Decentralization Program, a regrant initiative of the New York State Council of the Arts, with support from the NYS Governor’s Office and the NYS Legislature, and managed by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance. The Sullivan Public Library Alliance oversees the project with additional backing from local libraries, Friends of public libraries, and individual arts patrons.