Mayda Alexandra del Valle will serve a two-year term and receive $70,000 to commission new works and create public programming. As Chicago’s second poet laureate, del Valle will serve as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.

Poetry Foundation Creative Director Fred Sasaki says the exhibition grew out of the discovery of a collection of Diana Solis’ photographs and other items abandoned in a basement.

Born in Chicago and raised in New Jersey, Patti Smith has lived an incomparable life as a poet and performer. Known as “the punk poet laureate,” she’s in the Rock Hall of Fame and won a National Book Award.

Patti Smith was honored by Chicago’s Poetry Foundation with a Pegasus Award. 

Legendary musician, poet and writer Patti Smith was born in Chicago. Here's a rundown of her cultural connections. 

The life and work of a tough Chicago artist.  We take a closer look at painter Joan Mitchell, who expressed herself strongly during a macho era in American art.