JC Sulzenko, Canadian Poet & Author

JC is delighted to participate in this exhibition of evocative paintings by Prince Edward County visual artist Karole Marois. The show began with a reception from 2:00 to 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 6. The exhibition of her work runs until September 28 in the Barlow Room of the Royal Annex, 6 Ross Street in Picton, Ontario.

“I embraced this opportunity to contribute two poems to Karole’s show on the theme: “The Power of Water,” which showcases her unique vision of this element essential to life and to spirit,” JC announced. “I thank her for the honour of displaying my work alongside her memorable canvasses.”

Here’s a link to the artist’s site: https://karolem.com

“I was delighted to appear on Thursday, July 17 with my most recent poetry collections, written under my pen name A. Garnett Weiss. Poems from Life after Life—from epitaph to epilogue took centre stage during my presentation. I also read from Bricolage, A Gathering of Centos, which was one of five finalists for the 2022 national Fred Kerner Book Award from the Canadian Authors Association, “ JC revealed.

“I was honoured to read at this fine series. I hope I was able to convince those in attendance that found poetry is ‘no second-class citizen’ but rather worthy of their attention.”

“While in town, I visited the site in a glorious lake-side park where my poem “Chrysalis” ‘ is among nature poems etched into a tabletop’s wood as part of the Picnic Table Anthology project. POETCHRY is a first for me!” 

JC thanked poetry convenor James Pickersgill for inviting her to Cobourg and Kate Rogers who curated the poetry for the nature table.

Here’s a link to the announcement of funds granted to arts organizations after an adjudication process under the auspices of the County Foundation in which JC participated.

https://www.countylive.ca/local-arts-organizations-share-60k-in-grants/

“I have not been involved in a such process before, whereby grants are awarded by assessing the relative strengths and merits of proposals against criteria which governed the selection.

I was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with other adjudicators and consider many worthy projects which exceeded in amounts requested the funding available from the inaugural year for the Arts Fund. Given that Prince Edward County has one of the highest concentration of writers, artists and artisans in all of Ontario, every investment the municipality makes in the cultural sector generates not only more creativity but also brings economic and other benefits to the region,” JC noted.

JC thanks Silver Birch Press Editor Melanie Villines for publishing her free verse poem, “A ritual in five time.” 

“I am honoured that this poem appears in the California press’s newest series, My Favourite Things. The Press has published my poems a number of times, for which I am grateful.”

“This poem takes its point of departure from the turbulence of the times and suggests a way to find calm,” JC explained.  “In reciting a selection of five favourite things, a different quintet each night after turning out the light, I focus on what I love and find I am able to sleep. Editor Villines chose a perfect image to complement the piece— squares of chocolate!”

“Try the method. It works!” JC advises.

Here’s a link to the poem: 
https://silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2025/07/07/a-ritual-in-five-time-by-jc-sulzenko-my-favorite-thngs-series/