Maine poet Gary Lawless will receive the 2017 Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize from the Maine Humanities Council. A resident of Nobleboro, Lawless owns and operates Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, an independent bookstore he opened in 1979 with his wife, Beth Leonard. He is the editor and publisher of Blackberry Books and has had 16 collections of his poetry published in the United States. In addition to his own writing, Lawless has long encouraged others to find their voice with poetry, working with veterans groups, immigrant communities, and more. He also works with Spindleworks, a nonprofit arts center in Brunswick whose mission is to help children and adults with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives in their chosen community.
“The prize is given in recognition and appreciation of individuals or organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to the state through the humanities,” said Maine Humanities Council Executive Director Hayden Anderson. “Gary’s work in the community is a spectacular example of how poetry can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Mainers from all backgrounds.”
Born in Belfast, Lawless graduated from Colby College in Waterville in 1973. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Beech Hill Preserve, the Cathance River Reserve, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, and the Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska. In 2008, he received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Southern Maine.
Lawless is the seventh person to receive the Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize since its creation in 1998. Previous honorees include Donald Soctomah, Joseph Conforti, Neil Rolde, Northeast Historic Film, Billie Gammon, and Tabitha King. Lawless’ contributions to the state of Maine will be honored during a prize luncheon, tentatively scheduled to take place in March. Further details on the date, time, and location of the luncheon will be announced later.
