The City of Palm Desert is proud to announce the selection of its first Poet Laureate, Lori Davis, whose mission is to elevate the literary arts and foster creative expression within the City. This appointment reflects the City's commitment to promoting culture and creativity as vital elements of our vibrant community.

The Palm Desert Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador of poetry and literature, actively engaging in ceremonial, educational, and community activities to uplift the artistic achievement of the City. She’ll provide access to poetry, raise awareness of the art form, and encourage individuals to develop their own creative interests.

The appointment of a Poet Laureate is a significant step in fostering a deeper connection between the City of Palm Desert and its longstanding artistic heritage. Lori will carry the torch of literary excellence and serve as an inspirational figure, unifying the community through the beauty of words.

To commemorate Palm Desert's 50th Anniversary, Davis composed Palm Desert: City of Warmth and Light, which she presented November 18th, 2023 at The Party in the Park.

About Lori

Lori Davis is a poet, artist, and educator. She has enjoyed living and working in the Coachella Valley for over 28 years. She received an MFA in Creative Writing/Poetry from the University of California Riverside, Palm Desert. Her personal mission is to create practical ways to draw people toward poetry rather than away from it.

This passion for the written and spoken word has taken her across the globe to locations such as Greenland, above the Arctic Circle, to study Inuit poetry, and to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. She is the author of two chapbooks, and her work has been published in many national literary journals, including Atlanta Review, Cream City Review, Salt Hill, and Green Mountains Review.