Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards and Poet-in-Schools Program
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
About
The Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards and Poet-in-Schools Program includes poetry writing workshops that feature the reading of a few poems to inspire the young writers. During these workshops, students have the opportunity to read their new work aloud and receive supportive responses to their poems.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Gallery hours Monday–Friday from 12–4pm, and open Wednesday–Saturday from 12–4pm
The program includes a Poet-in-Schools program, an annual high school poetry awards contest, and fully-funded poetry writing workshops by the Poet-in-Schools offered to any high school in Monterey County. Its in-class instruction and annual awards contest have involved thousands of students since 1996 and include a High School Poetry Contest and Art Exhibition. The program is part of a broader set of activities that also includes online exhibitions of visual arts, literary arts lectures and online workshops, and original theater and live entertainment.
The Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards, formerly called the Robert Campbell Poetry Awards, have existed since the program’s inception in 1996. The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, which runs this program, was established in 1948. Its stated mission is to enhance the quality and diversity of artistic, educational, and cultural programs in Monterey County by encouraging interaction between artists and the community, and to present quality and diverse artistic, educational, and cultural programs in Monterey County.
The Poet-in-Schools and contest judge, Patrice Vecchione, is a Monterey poet, artist, and teacher who has led poetry workshops for students through her program, The Heart of the Word. She is the author of two collections of poetry and the editor of many poetry anthologies, most recently “Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience.” She is also the author of three nonfiction books on the imagination and creativity, and in 2020 her book for young adults and up, “My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry & Speaking Your Truth,” was published by Seven Stories Press. Robert Reese serves as Executive Director.
All programs and exhibits are funded through grants, corporate sponsors, and private donations, including support from organizations such as Arts Council for Monterey County, Carmel Woman’s Club, Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Gibson Family Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Pebble Beach Company Foundation, and Yellow Brick Road Benefit Store. A stated testimonial about the organization says, “There are no strings attached to the help we give. We don’t care whether those we help become famous or not. Our reward is in making it possible for an artist to be true to himself.”
Last updated July 2, 2026.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Gallery hours Monday–Friday from 12–4pm, and open Wednesday–Saturday from 12–4pm
The program includes a Poet-in-Schools program, an annual high school poetry awards contest, and fully-funded poetry writing workshops by the Poet-in-Schools offered to any high school in Monterey County. Its in-class instruction and annual awards contest have involved thousands of students since 1996 and include a High School Poetry Contest and Art Exhibition. The program is part of a broader set of activities that also includes online exhibitions of visual arts, literary arts lectures and online workshops, and original theater and live entertainment.
The Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards, formerly called the Robert Campbell Poetry Awards, have existed since the program’s inception in 1996. The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, which runs this program, was established in 1948. Its stated mission is to enhance the quality and diversity of artistic, educational, and cultural programs in Monterey County by encouraging interaction between artists and the community, and to present quality and diverse artistic, educational, and cultural programs in Monterey County.
The Poet-in-Schools and contest judge, Patrice Vecchione, is a Monterey poet, artist, and teacher who has led poetry workshops for students through her program, The Heart of the Word. She is the author of two collections of poetry and the editor of many poetry anthologies, most recently “Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience.” She is also the author of three nonfiction books on the imagination and creativity, and in 2020 her book for young adults and up, “My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry & Speaking Your Truth,” was published by Seven Stories Press. Robert Reese serves as Executive Director.
All programs and exhibits are funded through grants, corporate sponsors, and private donations, including support from organizations such as Arts Council for Monterey County, Carmel Woman’s Club, Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Gibson Family Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Pebble Beach Company Foundation, and Yellow Brick Road Benefit Store. A stated testimonial about the organization says, “There are no strings attached to the help we give. We don’t care whether those we help become famous or not. Our reward is in making it possible for an artist to be true to himself.”
Last updated July 2, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.