Most Recent: June 9, 2016
Phil Taggart has three collections of poetry. His latest is Rick Sings (Brandenburg Press). His other two are Opium Wars (Mille Grazie Press) and an art book in collaboration with Texas artist Ann Harithas, Cowboy Collages. He served for nine years as the Poetry Editor of Art Life, and is currently editor and publisher of Askew with Marsha de la O and Friday Gretchen. Phil runs the weekly poetry reading at the EP Foster Library in Ventura. In 2009, Phil was named “Champion of Mental Health” by the Turning Point Foundation with recognition from various government electeds including US Congresswoman Lois Capps and President Barack Obama. This was in part because of his work in bringing awareness of homelessness and mental illness to the community at large, through his poetry, photography and video work specifically through Rick Sings. In 2008, he received the Ventura’s Mayor’s Arts Award and received the Ventura County Art Star Award in 2012.
Phil is and has served on several Boards and Commissions including the City of Ventura’s Cultural Affairs Commission.
He grew up in South Whittier and lives in Ventura, California with his wife Marsha de la O.
Phil is Ventura County Poet Laureate