2024 Festival Keynote speaker was Pádraig Ó Tuama, Irish poet, peace activist and host of the popular poetry podcast Poetry Unbound.
“Pádraig Ó Tuama is an extraordinary person, whose influence extends quietly and gracefully across the world. His poetry bears these same qualities and brings him close. It is a gift to us all.”
—Krista Tippett, Creator of On Being
Meet the 2024 Poets & Performers
is an award-winning poet, memoirist, photographer, and watercolorist who served as Rockland’s Poet Laureate. Author of 7 books of poetry, most recently Test Pattern, a Fantod of Prose Poems, Carol offers poetry and craft tips at carolbach.substack.com.
has published in literary magazines and anthologies, and his poems have been featured on Writer’s Almanac, Take Heart, and Poems from Here. Morrison has published seventeen books of poetry including We Are Here and It Is Now (Soul Finger Press 2024).
is the author of Head of Island Beautification for the Rural Outlands, as well as Antique Densities, which won the 2022 Maine Literary Award for Poetry. He is the archivist for the Maine Women Writers Collection.
Chris Ross is a native of Hancock and 2014 winner of the "Songwriter of the Year" award at the New England Music Awards. Known for his cinematic lyrics and sharp humor, Ross’ wit matches his musical talent.
Audrey Minutolo-Le
is Founder and Creative Director of Highland Grove Artist Residency in Bridgton, Maine, and teaches at UMaine. Published in DownEast Magazine, Habitat, DownEast Books and The Maine Standard, her first novel, Gray Ledges, (Rowman & Littlefield) comes out in 2025.
is an associate professor of English and Creative Writing at Colby College. She is the author of the poetic memoir Who’s Your Daddy and is currently developing with composer Jessica Jones Post Pardon: The Opera.
Mehuman (May-mon)
Mehuman (May-mon) calls both Nashville, TN and Portland, ME home. With sound rooted in Gospel blues, Mehuman successfully melds genres of Afro-Americana Country Soul with lyrics that reflect a deeply personal perspective on life, love, and loss.