Portfolio

Maureen McDole is a Poet, Writer, Speaker, and Founder/CEO of Keep St. Pete Lit

Founder and CEO of Keep St. Pete Lit (2013-present)

Co-Founder, Columnist, and Literature Editor of The Artisan Magazine (2022-present)

Host of The Write Life Podcast (2023-present)


Books

Feast (2021)

Longing for the Deep End (2011)

Exploring My Options (2006)


Previous Work

Director of SunLit Literary Festival (2017-2023)

Literature Editor for Gulf Coast Journal (October 2019-January 2021)

Board President Friends of Mirror Lake Library (2019-2022)

Co-Founder Summerfolk Press (2006-2012)


Education

BA in English Literature from USF-St. Petersburg (2008)

Certificate in Arts & Culture Strategy from University of Pennsylvania (2018)

Certificate from National Speakers Association’s Speaker Academy (2011)


Performance

The Art of Healing poetry performance in collaboration with poet Denzel Johnson- Green at Florida Craft Art (2020)

Literary Carousal at MFA poetry performance at Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg during the 6th Annual SunLit Literary Festival (2019)

Tales Thrice Told poetry and dance performance in collaboration with choreographer Paula Kramer and actor/writers Fannie Green and Bob Devin Jones for Short & Sweet Theater Week at University of South Florida St. Petersburg (2019)

Tapestry poetry performance in collaboration with dancer Helen Hanson French and musician Frank Wells for Your Real Stories: Story Days at Iberian Rooster (2018)

GASP! The Gasparilla Fringe Festival exphrastic poetry performance inspired by Flags by Alex Katz at Tampa Museum of Art (2017)

Unified collaborative dance performance by Helen Hanson French, a live mural painted by Carrie Jadus, a poem entitled “Hey Ladies” by Maureen McDole, and and original score by Elizabeth Baker. Morean Center for Clay (2017)

2nd Annual Fantastic Exphrastic poetry collaboration with artist Carrie Jadus at Soft Water Studios (2017)

Synesthesia poetry performance in collaboration with painter Carrie Jadus and Zulu Painter directed by Sheila Cowley at The Studio@620 (2016)

1st Annual Fantastic Exphrastic poetry collaboration with artist Carrie Jadus at Soft Water Studios (2016)

Poetry Showcase poetry performance and coordinator of group poetry reading at Morean Arts Center (2013)

Poetry Open Mic Host at Crumb’s bar and Grill (2013)

Poetry reading with poet Brandon Lacy Campos at Ding Dong Lounge NYC (2010 & 2012)


Exhibitions

Literary Carousal original poem commissioned for Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg photography exhibition (May 11 through August 11, 2019)

2nd Annual Fantastic Exphrastic poetry collaboration with artist Carrie Jadus at Soft Water Studios (February 24-March 11, 2017)

Down the Rabbit Hole poetry collaboration with photographer Christopher Wharton at Bloom Art Center (May 21-June 21, 2016)

1st Annual Fantastic Exphrastic poetry collaboration with artist Carrie Jadus at Soft Water Studios (February 19-March 12, 2016)


Film

The Motherhood Project original poem commissioned and featured in film in collaboration with dancer Helen French (2018)

FEAST original poem commissioned and featured in film in collaboration with dancer Kellie Harmon (2017)

TIME original poem commissioned and featured in film in collaboration with dancer Sarah Emery (2023)


Art Installations

Weather Vane Bookcase at Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. In collaboration with artist Heath Linkogle for Keep St. Pete Lit (February 15-17, 2015)


Awards

MUSE winner for Literary Arts St. Petersburg Art Alliance 2016)

Winner of Urban Congo’s Pavillion Project Weather Vane Bookcase at Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. In collaboration with artist Heath Linkogle (February 15, 2015)


Columns

Life in Poetry The Artisan Magazine (August 2022-present)


Poetry

“Wild Creature” The Artisan Magazine

“Grandma’s House” Love (In the Original Language) Anthology Moonstone Art Center

“All That is Required” Rookery in Art Coast Journal

“Playing with Dolls” Rookery in Art Coast Journal

“Her” Rookery in Art Coast Journal