Poetry Night at Station Gallery: June 10, 2026

Station Gallery photo by Keith White. Used with permission.

Overview: Join us for an inspiring evening of poetry at Station Gallery, hosted by Lisa Reynolds, Durham Region Branch Manager for The Ontario Poetry Society. Enjoy captivating readings from six esteemed poets and an honourary guest poet in a warm, welcoming, and artistic atmosphere.

Brief Description of Event: This event marks the sixth Poetry Night held at Station Gallery since 2023. Poetry Night at Station Gallery is a celebration of poetry and a tribute to the poets invited to attend. The event consists of poetry readings and an extended intermission for poets and members of the public to gather, network, and enjoy complimentary refreshments, while admiring the gallery’s artwork. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win door prizes, purchase poets’ books, and participate in a raffle, with all proceeds supporting Youth Programs at Station Gallery.

Main Sponsors for this event: Station Gallery, Canada Council for The Arts, League of Canadian Poets, The Ontario Poetry Society, The Writers’ Union of Canada.

Additional Sponsors: Writers’ Community of Durham Region, Our Little Bakery (Ajax), Quips & Quills Bookshop.

About Station Gallery: “Station Gallery is a community creative hub and registered charity located in Whitby, Ontario (Durham Region) – a former train station converted into an art gallery and arts event space, featuring art exhibitions from emerging, mid-career and established artists. It brings art and culture to kids, youth, adults and families of all ages and abilities through programs, classes and workshops, performances and special events. Station Gallery was the winner of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce Not for Profit Organization of the Year 2023 (Peter Perry & Business Achievement Awards).”

WHO'S WHO?

Host:

Lisa Reynolds is the co-founder, organizer, and host of Poetry Night(s) at Station Gallery. She is an internationally published Canadian author, poet, and literary advocate, featured in peace and humanitarian initiatives and multidisciplinary exhibitions. Lisa is the Durham Region Branch Manager for The Ontario Poetry Society and serves on the Board of Directors for the Writers’ Community of Durham Region.

Tech Specialist:

John Oughton lives in Toronto and is the author of six poetry collections, most recently The Universe and All That (Ekstasis Editions), several chapbooks, a mystery novel, and a book on how to teach in higher education, as well as reviews for The Seaboard Review. He is a retired community college professor, and the current Treasurer of The Writers Union of Canada. John is also a photographer and guitar player.

Guest Poet/Emcee:

Kate Rogers: Kate Rogers won the subTerrain Magazine Lush Triumphant Award in 2023 for her five-poem suite, My Mother's House. In 2019, Kate's poem The Giraffe-bone Knife Set was short-listed for the ROOM Magazine Poem of the Year. In 2019, Kate won first prize in the Book of Kells Contest at Trinity College Dublin with her poem, John and the Book of Kells. Kate’s latest collection of poetry is Baba Yaga and the Girl Who Ate the Rope (Frontenac House Poetry, 2026). Kate’s poetry, essays and critical writing have appeared in many literary journals and anthologies both in Canada and abroad. Kate is a former director of Toronto's Art Bar Poetry Series.

Featured Poets:

Catherine Graham: Catherine Graham’s eighth book Æther: An Out-of-Body Lyric was a finalist for the Trillium Award, Toronto Book Award, and won the Fred Kerner Book Award. Moon Writing, a collaboration with artist Robert Frede Kenter, is her latest collection. A poetry book inspired by the life and art of Remedios Varo will appear in 2027.

Jim Johnstone: Jim Johnstone is the author of seven collections of poetry, most recently The King of Terrors (Coach House Books, 2023). His most recent book is Bait & Switch: Essays, Reviews, Conversations, and Views on Canadian Poetry (Porcupine's Quill, 2024).

Bruce Kauffman: Bruce Kauffman is a poet and editor living in Kingston. His written work has appeared in several anthologies and journals, two chapbooks, and six collections of poetry, his latest – ever-crossings. He organizes and hosts a monthly open mic, and produces and hosts a weekly radio show on CFRC.

Felicity Sidnell-Reid: Felicity Sidnell-Reid is the co-host/producer of the radio series, Word on the Hills, on 89.7 FM. Alone: A Winter in the Woods was released by HBP, 2015. Her third poetry collection, Where Sun Meets Shadow was published by Aeolus House in March 2026. Her short fiction and poems have been published in both print and online journals and anthologies.

David Stones: David Stones is a multi-award winning poet and performer with some 600 poems in print across Canada and internationally. David’s major collections, Infinite Sequels, sfumato, and Essays of Light, have all been Canadian bestsellers, while London Free Press lauds his stage shows as “absolutely brilliant and beautiful theatre.”

Bänoo Zan: Bänoo Zan is a poet and curator with over 300 published pieces and three books. She is the founder of Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) and co-editor of Woman, Life, Freedom: Poems for the Iranian Revolution. Bänoo is the recipient of the 2025 Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award.

Venue Info: Barrier-free access (ramp, elevator); automatic door openers; seating with back supports; seating with no arm rests; space for assistive devices; three gender-neutral washrooms (two on main floor, one on lower floor); close proximity to HWY 401 and Whitby Go Station; free parking; complimentary masks available; hand sanitizers at entrance and in washrooms.

Please note: A photographer will be capturing moments throughout the evening, which may include audience members. If you prefer not to appear in photos, kindly inform the host or photographer before the event begins.

*This is not an open mic event.

***

Location: Station Gallery 1450 Henry Street, Whitby, Ontario CANADA

Event date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm for seating)

Free in-person and Zoom tickets. Registration is required via Eventbrite or by contacting The Ontario Poetry Society’s Durham Region Branch: [email protected]

Seating is capped. Early registration is highly recommended.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher John Oughton