Word Travels: a biennial sidewalk contest

Programs

Dec 12

Written By SE2M

The Word Travels program invites writers of all ages and abilities who live, work, or go to school in Germantown to submit original poems. Selected poems are installed in unexpected places throughout the city creating a treasure trove of Germantown expression.

New, emerging or professional writers of any age living, working or going to school in Germantown can participate. Winning poets will get a $150 prize, and their poetry will be displayed in unexpected places around city walkways, while runners-up will receive a $75 prize.

This program creates an opportunity for non-public artists to participate in public art through a different medium than visual art. Biennially, new poems are added to the collection. These poems will create a wonderful chance for people to serendipitously come across a piece of writing that might give them pause to think, imagine, laugh, or simply feel. With the opportunity for community-wide participation, including school-age children, the selected poems will eventually become a treasure trove of Germantown expression about all manner of things—including love, loss, friendship, nature, culture, and history.

Submission portal closed

Check out the Poem locations from previous contests by Clicking on the map below

2024 Winning Poems:

— Elaina Nicholas

— Jenni Proctor

— Mia Mittag

— Julian Ostmann

2021 Winning Poems:

— Audrey Rollen

— Janette Kennedy

— Denise C. Kerlan

— Adele Ferguson

— Niyantha Kaushik

About the Mitch Major Memorial Fund

The Word Travels - Mitch Major Memorial Fund was established in 2021 in memory of highly esteemed Germantown Performing Arts Center board member and City of Germantown resident Mitch Major, whose fondness for literature shaped his entire life.

The Mitch Major Memorial Fund will be dedicated to sustaining Word Travels - an annual sidewalk poetry contest inspired by Mitch’s love for the literary arts, his passion for lifelong learning, and the joy he took sharing his discoveries in the world of the written word.