A Weekend of Poetry in Portland

June 18-21, 2026 | Lewis & Clark College and Beyond

This June, Portland becomes the gathering place for an extraordinary weekend of poetry rooted in the legacy of William Stafford and the vibrant community of The Stafford Challenge.

Whether you are joining us for the full four-day conference or coming for a single evening, you are warmly welcome here.

The Stafford Challenge Conference
June 18-21, 2026
Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon

The Stafford Challenge is an international poetry project now in its third year, with over 1,450 participants inspired by the daily writing practice of William Stafford. This June we are gathering in person for the first time for four days of workshops, writing, and community.

Guest Poet Teachers include: Naomi Shihab Nye, Kim Stafford, Brad Aaron Modlin, Emmett Wheatfall, Georgia Popoff, Christopher Luna, John Rosenwald, Ann Arbor, and Brian Rohr.

Your registration includes all daytime programming, three evening performances, group visits to the William Stafford Archive (a free public resource at Watzek Library), light breakfast Friday through Sunday, and lunch Friday and Saturday.

Limited spots remain.

Cannot attend the conference, explore these public events

William Stafford & His Archive: A Life Record of Creative Practice 
Thursday, June 18, 2026, 12:45-2pm
Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College
Free and open to the public. Tickets required.

What does it mean to keep a daily record of a creative life? William Stafford wrote a poem every single day for decades, leaving behind a truly remarkable literary archive now housed at Lewis & Clark College. This free public panel discussion opens a window into that archive and the creative practice behind it.

Featuring past Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, Crystal Willer, James Armstrong, Doug Erickson, and Tim Barnes. Following the discussion, attendees are invited to visit the William Stafford Archive, a free public resource at Watzek Library.

This event is presented by The Stafford Challenge and Wild Poet Events in partnership with Special Collections at Lewis & Clark College's Watzek Library.

When the Poets Gather: A Reading of Acclaimed Poets
Friday, June 19, 2026, 6:30pm
Agnes Flanagan Chapel, Lewis & Clark College
General Admission $10 | Student $8
Book signing to follow | ASL interpretation provided

Six nationally acclaimed poets. One memorable Portland evening.

Brad Aaron Modlin, Emmett Wheatfall, Georgia Popoff, Christopher Luna, John Rosenwald, and Ann Arbor - along with host Brian Rohr -  each bring their own unique voice, a lifetime of craft, and a deep generosity to the page. On this evening they share the same stage, reading, reflecting, and reminding us why poetry matters.

All six poets are Guest Teachers at The Stafford Challenge Conference.

Naomi Shihab Nye & Kim Stafford: A Reading and Conversation
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6:30pm
Sanctuary Hall, First Congregational UCC (1126 SW Park Ave, Portland)
General Admission $15 | Student $8
Book signing to follow | ASL interpretation provided

Join two beloved voices in American poetry for an evening of reading and conversation rooted in legacy, humanity, and the power of language.

Beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye returns to Portland for a public reading, drawing from her expansive body of work. She is joined by past Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford for an onstage conversation about poetry as daily practice, influence, and how creativity can sustain us in uncertain times.

This special evening is presented by The Stafford Challenge and Wild Poet Events in partnership with Oregon Humanities and Lewis & Clark College.

Naomi Shihab Nye will also be in conversation for this Oregon Humanities event:

Consider This with Naomi Shihab Nye
Thursday, June 18, 2026,
Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland

Join Oregon Humanities for an evening conversation with beloved poet and novelist Naomi Shihab Nye about nations, communities, and how we strive to live together. What makes this nation what it is? How do communities become what we hope them to be?

This event is part of Beyond 250, Oregon Humanities' 2024-25 Consider This series. Minors welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets:

• General Admission: $15 plus fees
• Pay It Forward: $30 plus fees
• No Cost tickets available for those who need them