Poet Laureate

Poet Laureate

Paul Edward Costa is the City of Mississauga 2019 Poet Laureate. He will serve a two year term (2019-2021). This honorary position recognizes a poet who writes poetry or spoken word and has written on themes that are important to the citizens of Mississauga. The position holds four key objectives:

  • Become the City of Mississauga's literary ambassador both within and outside the City;
  • Promote poetry and literary arts within the City;
  • Raise the profile of writers in Mississauga; and
  • Create an artistic legacy through public readings and civic interactions.

About Paul Edward Costa

Paul Edward Costa is a writer, teacher, and spoken word artist. He has published over sixty stories, poems, and articles in literary journals worldwide and performs spoken word at a variety of poetry events as an open mic or featured artist. His novella "Dark Magic on the Edge of Town" was published in 2016 with Paperback-Press, and his book of poetry "The Long Train of Chaos" will be published in August 2019 by Kung Fu Treachery Press. Paul regularly gives talks at meetings of The Mississauga Writers' Group, hosts and curates The YTGA Open Mic Series at Studio.89, and is co-organizer of the Mississauga Arts Council's series Verses Out Loud: A Spoken Word and Poetry Open Mic. Paul earned a Specialized Honors BA in History and a BA in Education at York University. He teaches high school English and History with the Peel District School Board.

Upcoming Events

April 25, 2019 - Mississauga Central Library - Noel Ryan Auditorium
City of Mississauga First Official Poetry Slam

July 1, 2019 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Poetry reading for Canada Day Celebrations

Past Events

April 3, 2019 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Poetry Reading at Council to Celebrate National Poetry Month

Twitter:
@paul_e_costa

Facebook:
@PaulEdwardCosta

Instagram:
@paul.edward.costa

Anna Yin
2015-2017 Poet Laureate

Wali Shah
2017-2019 Poet Laureate

Youth Poet Laureate

The City of Mississauga will recognize its third Youth Poet Laureate in 2020. Submissions will be accepted between January 17 and March 1, 2020.

Learn more

The City of Mississauga is pleased to announce the Youth Poet Laureate for 2018-2020 is Pujita Verma. The role of the Youth Poet Laureate is to serve as a literary ambassador for youth in the City of Mississauga. Pujita will aim to elevate the status of poetry, literary arts and young writers through community youth poetry events and/or projects. The honorary position recognizes a young poet who writes excellent poetry or spoken word and has written on themes that are relevant to the citizens of Mississauga.

About Pujita Verma

Pujita Verma believes that poetry is a way in which we can cherish small miracles and keep moments alive forever. Her journey with poetry branches from an abiding interest in creative writing and the literary arts. When Pujita isn't writing or reciting, she's saving the planet, volunteering, or studying in her first year at the University of Western Ontario.

As Secretary for Ink Movement Mississauga, Pujita has volunteered for nearly two years to help make tools for self-expression more accessible for youth in the city. She has been a member of her school's Student Writer's Guild since 2014, performed at slams across the GTA, and is also a National Finalist for the 2018 Poetry In Voice Recitation Competition. Her work reflects mental well-being, life, the environment, and the miraculous nature of seemingly ordinary things. As the City of Mississauga's Youth Poet Laureate. Pujita strives to provide platforms through which youth can explore poetry, find their voices, and uncover their own creativity.

Upcoming events

April 25, 2019 - Mississauga Central Library - Noel Ryan Auditorium
City of Mississauga First Official Poetry Slam

July 1, 2019 - Mississauga Celebration Square
Poetry reading for Canada Day Celebrations

Past Events

April 5, 2019 - Mississauga Valley Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

March 16, 2019 - Bradley Museum
Poetry Reading at Maple Magic Event

March 13, 2019 - Malton Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

March 13, 2019 - Erin Meadows Library
Pre-Slam Poetry Workshop for Youth

January 13, 2019 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
Poetry Reading at Mayor's New Year's Levee

November 6, 2019 - Small Arms Inspection Building
Poem written for and read at Creative Cities National Conference Opening Reception

July 1, 2018 - Mississauga Celebration Square
One Line Over and Over written for and read at Canada Day Celebrations

April 4, 2018 - Council Chamber, Mississauga Civic Centre
The Words in All of Us written and read at Council for the official Youth Poet Laureate announcement and in celebration of National Poetry Month

Rebecca Zseder
2016-2018 Youth Poet Laureate

Contact Us
For more information on the Poet Laureate Program Contact:
Kathryn Garland
kathryn.garland@mississauga.ca

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Celebrate all things Scottish at this tea in honour of the life and poetry of Robbie Burns. The Museums of Mississauga proudly welcome the city's Poet Laureate, Paul Edward Costa, to read from the works of Robbie Burns and share a selection of his own writings.

Indulge in the magic of receiving a hug... Created in response to our world that feels increasingly filled with prejudice and hate, A Warm Hug speaks to our primal needs of wanting to be loved and love others by shining its light with everyone without discrimination.

Learn about Mississauga's first black settlers with photographs and Museum artifacts that you can touch and hold. Create a page detailing your own Mississauga settlement story, which will be collected into a book and made available at the Bradley Museum.