For the Reporter

The City of Auburn hosts a celebration next month to honor Dick Brugger as he finishes his three-year term as Auburn’s first poet laureate.

The public is invited to join the celebration on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Auburn’s City Hall Council Chambers, 25 W. Main St.

Opening remarks begin at 7 p.m. Appetizers and refreshments will be offered.

There also will be a reception for Brugger’s daughter, Jessie, whose artwork will be on display in the City Hall Gallery throughout September.

Dick Brugger’s work has heightened the awareness of poetry and brought additional visibility to the many great poets who reside within the area. As poet laureate, Brugger has presented at countless City events and festivals, written poetry for cultural exchanges, participated in youth workshops and public events, had his poetry integrated into permanent public art projects, and written a monthly “Poets Corner” section in the Auburn Reporter.

“His energy and enthusiasm as poet laureate has allowed greater access to poetry and the literary arts,” said Mayor Nancy Backus. “We are so grateful that he was able to share his beautiful words with us for three years. I can’t think of a better person to have been Auburn’s first poet laureate.”

Jessie Brugger, raised in Auburn, recently earned a master’s degree in fine arts from The New York Academy of Art. In 2011 the New York International Film Festival honored her with an award for best short animated video. Her two-dimensional artwork, paintings and drawings that range from whimsical to traditional landscapes and portraits, will be on display in the gallery.

For more information, go to www.auburnwa.gov/arts or call 253-931-3043.