by Jarret Liotta
WESTPORT — Westport poet passes torch … Lowman’s tenure praised … Noyes, new laureate, lauded …
A ceremony at The Westport Library Wednesday afternoon concluded the three-year work of Westport’s first poet laureate — Diane Lowman — and welcomed her successor — Jessica Noyes McEntee.
“This is a wonderful honor,” said McEntee, an author and editorial consultant who came to Westport in 2013 with her husband and two children.
“I have big shoes to fill,” she said, citing Lowman’s tenure in the role.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker officially appointed McEntee to the position, which was created through the Westport Arts Advisory Committee.
“I’m just so thrilled that you’re willing to take on the role and that you’re willing to share your talent and your joy with us,” she said.
Along with a ceremonial laurel, Lowman gave her successor several poetry books related to the work, as well as a couple of t-shirts that will help identify her at some of the town events she’ll attend in that capacity.
“I am forever indebted to the town of Westport … for recognizing the importance of words, and for recognizing how, as much as they can hurt … they can heal,” Lowman said.
She became teary after Tooker read a proclamation praising her for having had “consistently demonstrated the power of compassion, light and grace.”
“I am just humbled and honored to have been granted this position …” said Lowman, a writer, artist and Shakespeare historian. “I got far more than I ever gave.”
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