Above: Organizers for Art on the Trails hope that this time themed installations will inspire poets for the next poetry chapbook. (images cropped from Art on the Trails promotional email and call for poetry page.)*
As I’ve previously posted, the installation of this year’s Art on the Trails exhibit took place a couple weeks ago. I noted that organizers would again be calling on poets to take inspiration in the exhibit.
Organizers have put the call, asking for poetry submissions by the end of July.
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 2025 chapbook here.)
This year, they again plan to select 26 poems. Submissions are being accepted through Friday, July 31st.
Poets whose work is selected will also be invited to read the poems at the closing ceremony at Beals Preserve on September 13th. 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 “Time in the Landscape”, celebrating the 10th annual exhibit. (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 next 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. Click here 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 Laura Gunnells Miller, who won first prize for last year’s submissions. You can read more about her on the website.
*(photo of “Vestiges” exhibit by artist Pam Kainz)
