and the Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award goes to…

Penn Kemp

Poet, performer and playwright Penn Kemp has been celebrated as a trailblazer from her first poetry publication by Coach House (1972) to her latest: River Revery, Local Heroes (Insomniac Press) and Fox Haunts (Aeolus House). See pennkemp.weebly.com and pennkemp.wordpress.com.

Jury’s Comments: “We are pleased to honor performance poet, activist and playwright Penn Kemp of London, Ontario for her influence and impact on spoken word in Canada. Penn Kemp is a Life Member of the League of Canadian Poets, was the inaugural Poet Laureate for the City of London and has received the Queen Elizabeth 11 Diamond Jubilee medal for service to the arts. She has published twenty-five books of poetry and drama, had six plays and ten CDs produced as well as Canada’s first poetry CD-ROM and several award-winning videopoems. Penn has performed in arts festivals around the world, giving readings and workshops, often as writer in residence.”

Thank you to the 2015 Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Jurors: bill bissett, Moe Clark and Sheri-D Wilson.

Read “Surprised by Joy” by Penn Kemp

---

The Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award is an annual literary prize crafted specifically to highlight the unique strengths and values of spoken word poetry. The Sheri-D Wilson Golden Beret Award honours an established Canadian poet with a history of achievement and performance in spoken word.