Stony Brook Southampton MFA in Writing Student Named Suffolk County Poet Laureate

May 14, 2009 -- The Suffolk County Legislature has named Stony Brook Southampton MFA in Writing and Literature student Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan, a resident of Southampton, as the fourth poet laureate for Suffolk County NY. Nuzzo-Morgan follows former poet laureates George Wallace (2003-05), Daniel Moran (2005-07) and David B Axelrod (2007-09) in the two-year unpaid appointment.

Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan

The appointment came on a 17-1 vote at the legislature's regular session on Tuesday, May 13, 2009.

Nuzzo-Morgan has been a prominent figure in the regional poetry community since at least 2001, when she founded the North Sea Poetry Scene (TNSPS). TNSPS is a not-for-profit organization located on eastern Long Island, but whose programs extend to NYC which provides innovative literary programs and open forums to instill well being, encourage creativity and increase awareness of literature and the arts.

Some of those being poetry readings, annual scholarly lecture series, TNSPS Arts Forum TV Show, an annual anthology, adult, school and prison poetry workshops

"As founder of the North Sea Poetry Scene, Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan has utilized her initiative, organizational skills and dedication to bring honor, recognition and creative opportunities to Suffolk County20poets," noted George Wallace, the county's first poet laureate. "She's done this through countless organizational efforts -- poetry readings, chapbook and anthology publishing, classroom events at local high schools and colleges, annual tributes to accomplished writers, archival initiatives, visiting artist (poets) to the schools and the jail facilities through BOCES programs, TNSPS’s Arts Forum TV show and more. I'd delighted with her appointment, and look forward to her tenure as the county's fourth Poet Laureate."

Nuzzo-Morgan pledged to work to make regional poets feel they have a voice and an opportunity to be involved. "We are not going to get there without each other," she said. "I plan to continue the programs and the projects I've already begun, as well as open the lines of communication to seek out what the community thinks would be a necessary project. I also plan to encourage other organizations by appearing at their events to show my support and the importance of their work."

Nuzzo-Morgan is a graduate of Long Island University (BS-Accounting/Business Administration) and CW Post (MBA, Banking/Finance & Management. She is currently attending a MFA Creative Writing Program at Stony Brook-Southampton. Her books include The Bitter, The Sweet (Street Press, 2004), One Woman's Voice (The North Sea Poetry Scene Press, 2005), Let Met Tell You Something (Street Press, 2006), For Michael (The North Sea Poetry Scene Press, 2008). In 2002 a CD collectiono f her work, entitled Between Willow and Cedars, was20released. Her creative work features a voice that is easily understood by and speaks for many segments of the community. In addition to reflecting the everyday emotions of love, desire, and a joy for nature and the future, but also is a testament to how one can survive life’s tragedies, overcome them as well as turn them into works of art.

Since 2001, projects developed and run by Nuzzo-Morgan have made an impact on the region's literary scene widely. Each year she organizes the annual Jack Kerouac Softball game; annually in October, she organizes an event honoring a regional poet for their contributions to the poetry community. She is behind such activities as a visiting artist program to schools and to jail facilities through BOCES programs, TNSPS’s Arts Forum TV show (which showcases poets and artists), annual L I Sounds Anthologies and the readings that follow. Her biggest pet project, she admits, is a proposed Long Island Arts/Archival Center, where regional poets can have their books archived. "I plan it to be a center where readings, lectures, book signing and workshops can take place," she says. "I already have in a climate-controlled storage unit which houses over 1,000 books, video and audio tapes, papers, posters and more."

For more information Nuzzo-Morgan or the Arts/Archival center, visit www.lipoetryarchivalcenter.com.