Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda

Carolyn Kreiter-Foronda (born 1946) was named Poet Laureate of Virginia by the Governor, Tim Kaine, on June 26, 2006. She succeeded Rita Dove and served in this position from June 2006 – July 2008. While serving as Poet Laureate, Carolyn started the ''"Poetry Book Giveaway Project"'' and added the ''"Poets Spotlight"'' to her webpage highlighting one poet from the Commonwealth each month, in addition to traveling widely to promote poetry in every corner of Virginia.

Carolyn is a lifelong educator and has received numerous literary and academic honors. She gives poetry readings in public and private settings and offers workshops in museums, libraries, and universities. Her service-oriented projects include stints in nursing homes and homeless shelters. From 2010 to 2011, she served as a Literary Arts Specialist with former Virginia Poet Laureate, Claudia Emerson, on a Metrorail Public Art Project conceived by the Art-in-Transit Program of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Juried poems by Virginia writers, including past and present Poets Laureate of Virginia, will be integrated into artistic works by Martin Donlin, Barbara Grygutis, and David Dahlquist at three Tysons Corner metro stations, Tysons East, Tysons Central 7, and Tysons West.

Carolyn is an abstract colorist painter, and her paintings have been featured in solo exhibitions throughout northern, central, and eastern Virginia. Provided by Wikipedia