'So many overlapping connections here.' Anastacia-Reneé reflects on her time in Seattle

After more than a decade in Seattle, the former Seattle Civic Poet has left for New York.

Anastacia-Reneé wears many hats. She's a former Seattle Civic Poet, a Hugo House poet in residence, educator, interdisciplinary artist, author of the books (v.), Forget it, and the upcoming Side Notes from the Archivist. She is an adherent to writing every day.

This summer, Anastacia-Reneé also became a former Seattle resident. She left Washington State, her home for more than a decade, and now lives in New York City.

Looking at her options and deciding that she wanted to grow more as an artist, Anastacia-Reneé felt that it was time to move on.

"I knew that for me to continue my personal career growth and creative growth, I needed to move away from Seattle," she said.

But that doesn't mean she doesn't still have affection for the Emerald City.

"I think of Seattle as a lover that I love so much," Reneé said. "Gosh, I love her so much. But it was just time to go. We had to part ways, we still will communicate, we're still going to be friends. But it was time for me to go."

The writer, interdisciplinary artist, and former Seattle Civic Poet talked to Soundside about her life in Seattle, working to open doors for other artists of color, and how there is still so much more to be done.