Pat Mottola (also known as Patricia Mottola) is the current Poet Laureate for the town of Cheshire, Connecticut. She was appointed to the inaugural position in February 2024 and is serving a two-year term through December 31, 2025. 

Key details about Pat Mottola and her work:

• Literary ambassador: As Cheshire's poet laureate, she acts as a literary ambassador, promoting poetry and literary arts within the community. She also helps ensure the town is represented in the Connecticut Council of Poets Laureate.

• Educator and mentor: Mottola is an adjunct professor of creative writing at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). She also teaches art and poetry to senior citizens throughout Connecticut and mentors Afghan women writers.

• Accomplished poet: She is the author of three collections of poetry: Under the Red Dress, After Hours, and A Town Like That.

• Connecticut Poetry Society: Mottola has served as the president of the Connecticut Poetry Society and was the editor of the Connecticut River Review from 2012 to 2017.

• Community involvement: She is a board member of the Coalition for a Sustainable Cheshire. In her role as poet laureate, she has collaborated with local organizations, such as the Suburban Garden Club of Cheshire, to sponsor events like an Earth Day poetry contest for students