City of Reno City Hall Metro Gallery, 1st floor March 17, 2025- May 9, 2025 Reception: Thursday, April 17th, 2025, 5 – 7pm Jesse James Ziegler is currently serving as Poet Laureate for the City of Reno; With a term spanning from January of 2024 to December of 2025. He is the Vice President of Spoken Views Collective and the Creative Director for Monday Night Poetry, True Colors Poetry, and Collective Breath Poetry Book Club. He is also a member of the Sierra Literary Cooperative, Sierra Arts Literary Community and the Nevada Poetry Society. Additionally, Jesse works as the Spoken Word/Poetry contributor to Reno Arts News. Jesse was the first ever Poet in Residence for the Bruka Theatre and held that position for three consecutive seasons (27,28,29). His first collection of poetry FIVE (2019) was published and brought to life through their annual “New Works Festival.” Jesse has had work published in Nevada Humanities, The Mill Valley Literary Review, and Multnomah University Press. Jesse opened and hosted the world premieres of Brandon Leake’s original spoken word play ‘Insomnia’ (Winner of Season 15 AGT) and has been a performance artist at the annual Utah Arts Festival. He has served as a host, judge and prompter for the Nevada chapter of the National Poetry Out Loud organization. This is Jesse’s first gallery exhibit of his work as Poet Laureate for the City of Reno. Poetry was Jesse’s first love, and he’s honored to serve as the ambassador of the art form. Jesse believes Poetry is the language of bridge building, activism, catharsis, edification and love. He intends to further support poets and poetry in our region through community building and community service. “Grit & Grace” is an exhibition that showcases both Poetry and Photography by City of Reno Poet Laureate Jesse James Ziegler. The show is an exploration of heart, mind, and landscapes in tempestuous times of transition. It demonstrates how individual efforts to build and serve community have ripple effects beyond our singular capacity for comprehension and compassion. Jesse’s poems are accompanied by his photography which compliments the overall exhibit by providing graphic representation and inspiration for the pieces of Jesse’s poetry.