Events at the Fresno Arts Council Gallery
A Gathering of Laureates with Ashley M. Jones-Thompson
On October 8, 2026, the Fresno Arts Council hosted “A Gathering of Laureates” in partnership with the Taste of Freedom Project as part of their "Standing on their Shoulders" event. “A Gathering of Laureates” featured a live reading by the Poet Laureate Emeritus of Alabama, Ashley M. Jones-Thompson. Mrs. Jones-Thompson made history as the youngest person and the first person of color to serve as Alabama's Poet Laureate, a role that was created in 1930.
The evening also featured a panel discussion with Fresno Poet Laureate Aideed Medina (2025-2027), Fresno County Youth Poet Laureate Evy Singh (2025-2026), and former Fresno Poets Laureate Joseph Rios (2023-2025), Megan Bohigian (2021-2023), and James Tyner (2013-2015). Judging by the Cover: A Bookstore had a table featuring many works from these poets available for purchase during the event. View their selection of works and more through the bookstore’s website here!
View the full event on YouTube here! The production of this video was made possible by Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC). Visit their website here for more information about CMAC.
