“Arts are a necessity in Athens:” local poet laureate on bringing poetry to the community

WUGA | By Emma Auer

Published January 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST

Mikhayla Robinson-Smith, Athens-Clarke County’s second-ever poet laureate. — Mikhayla Robinson-Smith is Athens-Clarke County’s second-ever poet laureate.

Athens is known for its music and arts scene, but poetry is an underappreciated form in the Classic City—at least officially. Mikhayla Robinson-Smith is Athens-Clarke County’s second-ever poet laureate. She took that seat last year and joined WUGA’s Emma Auer to discuss what language means to her in 2025.

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Emma Auer

Emma Auer is an award-winning reporter who joined WUGA as a full-time producer in 2024. She is also a graduate student in UGA's Romance Languages Department, studying French and Spanish. She covers the breadth of Northeast Georgia stories, from Athens City Hall to Winterville farmers' markets. Emma's work has also been heard on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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