Above: Organizers for Art on the Trails hope that this year’s “9” themed installations will inspire poets. (images cropped from Art on the Trails’ photo gallery*)
If you’re looking for something to do in town during daylight hours (alone or with family/friends), this month is a great time to explore the trails at Beals Preserve.
Last month, I shared news on the installation of this year’s Art on the Trails exhibit. That included a note that organizers would again be calling on poets to take inspiration in the exhibit. The deadline is the end of this month, so I’m highlighting those details in my update on the outdoor art.
Organizers publicized the “Call for Poetry” in June.
In keeping with tradition, Art on the Trails is asking the public to submit ekphrastic poetry, poems written specifically about or inspired by artwork in the exhibit.
Submissions will be reviewed and the top selections included in the annual chapbook. (You can still purchase the 2024 chapbook, pictured right, here.)
This year, they again plan to select 26 poems (two for each artwork). Submissions are being accepted through Thursday, July 31st.
Poets whose work is selected will also be invited to read the poems at the closing ceremony at Beals Preserve on September 14th. The chapbook will be available for sale at the event. (Featured poets will receive a free copy.)
It’s helpful for poets to understand that the theme for this year’s exhibit theme is “Number 9”, celebrating the annual exhibits anniversary, and numerology symbolism. (You can read more about that here.)
Organizers encourage (but don’t require) poets to experience the art in person, and will even offer guided tours this month. (Poets interested in a tour can email cweber@catherinemweber.com about scheduling a time.)
Of course, you don’t have to be a poet to enjoy the exhibit. Anyone can visit the exhibit for free, daily from dawn to dusk. Scroll down for the map and artist details. (You can also read more details about the Neary student project exhibit here.)
For those interested in the poetry aspect, who can’t visit the exhibit, there are alternative methods for viewing the works.
The website features a photo gallery with details on each piece. Once you have identified which work(s) you are interested in, you can also check out the YouTube channel to watch videos with more detail from the artists speaking on installation day. (If you are visiting in person, you can use QR codes on exhibit signs to pull up the video for that work.)
Poetry can be submitted via the Call for Poetry page. The website highlights that this year’s collection will be judged by Fred Gerhard. Gerhard is a published poet, editor, and leader of poetry workshops. You can read more about him on the website.
Now here’s the list of exhibits (and the map):
- Nine Sentinels by Paul Angiolillo (of Weston)
- Ninth Letter of the Alphabet Portraits, the Neary School student art project
- Nine of Lace by Pam Bonaguide (of Wayland)
- 9 Rungs of the Proletariat by Charlie Smith (of Jefferson NH)
- Bearing Gifts by Trish Dehls (of Woodstock, CT)
- Pivot Points by Rebecca Long (of Stow)
- HMS Circle Dance by Julie Nussbaum (of Cambridge)
- Where am I going, I Don’t Quite Know by Sarah Alexander (of Sutton)
- Through the Looking Glass by Chelsea Bradway (of Southborough)
- Frenzied Returns by Lisa Barthelson (of Rutland)
- Infinite Delicacy by Lee Williams (of Shaftbury, VT)
- Gateway by Clark Barnhart (of Worcester)
- A Point of View, by Shawndavid Berry (of Newport, RI)
*(images cropped from photos on the Art on the Trails website, works identified L-R as 9 Sentinels by Paul Angiolillo, Nine of Lace by Pam Bonaguide, Frenzied Returns by Lisa Barthelson, and Through The Looking Glass by Chelsea Bradway.)
