Poet in Residence

The Bellefonte Art Museum proudly welcomes our Poet-in-Residence, a vital voice at the intersection of language and visual art. Through readings, workshops, and written works inspired by our exhibits and community, the Poet-in-Residence brings fresh perspective to the museum experience—inviting visitors to see, feel, and reflect in new ways. This program celebrates the power of poetry to deepen engagement, foster connection, and illuminate the world around us, one carefully chosen word at a time

Introducing the Bellefonte Art Museum’s 2026 Poet-in-Residence: Paula Schroeder

The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County is delighted to announce Paula Schroeder as our 2026 Poet-in-Residence. This residency program, inspired by initiatives like the Guggenheim’s Poet-in-Residence program, aims to integrate poetry into the museum experience, fostering deeper connections between visual art and the written word.

Paula is a retired nurse living in Boalsburg, who has written poetry throughout her life.  Upon returning to her beloved hills of Pennsylvania, she presented a radio essay on WPSU entitled, I Believe in the Healing Power of Poetry. Since then she has participated in poetry readings, contributed to several local literary magazines, and had her poems featured in an exhibit of modern acrylic artwork at Schlow Library in 2024.

She is a multiple winner of the monthly BAM Ekphrastic Poetry Contest, and looks forward to encouraging fellow poets by facilitating public poetry experiences, as the 2026 Poet-in-Residence at the Bellefonte Art Museum.   

Stay tuned for upcoming events and programs featuring Kate Hoffman, as we embark on a year of artistic exploration and poetic discovery at the Bellefonte Art Museum.