March 24, 2025
The Ekphrastic Poetry Contest has just wrapped up its fifth year, and judges Jim LaVilla Havelin, Eddie Vega, and Linda Simone have reviewed the 160 total entries, comprised of 68 youth poems and 92 adult poems.
We’re pleased to report that the results are in! Read the winning poems at this link:
2025 Winning Poems Ekphrastic Poetry Contest
SAVE THE DATE – APRIL 5!
We are looking forward to the Celebratory Reading at Ruby City, 150 Camp Street, on April 5, 2025 at 10:00 am. Contest winners—as well as the poets selected for each museum—will read their works. The celebration is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
The Ekphrastic Poetry Committee thanks all of the talented poets who entered the contest. Special thanks to the five wonderful San Antonio museums who have collaborated with us for yet another year in making this contest a success. Our appreciation to Ruby City and Patricia Morales for agreeing to host the celebratory reading a second year. Last but not least, we are grateful to Gemini Ink and Arts Alive San Antonio for helping us get the word out and share the good news.
Poetry Matters,
Linda Simone
Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Coordinator
January 15, 2025
Poetry Month is just around the corner!
We partnered with local poets and other art institutions to invite you to draw inspiration from artworks. If you win, your poem will be shared in April to celebrate National Poetry Month.
San Antonio and South Texas poets! You’re invited to submit poems inspired by artworks from five San Antonio arts institutions. Three Categories: Adults; Youth, ages 13 – 17; Youth, age 12 and under. Contest Opens: February 5, 2025. Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025. There is no entry fee.
2025 Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Guidelines for Adults & Youth
What Is an Ekphrastic Poem?
An ekphrastic poem is one based on a piece of art. These poems take an existing piece of visual art and use written words to describe and expand on the theme of that work of art. Often these poems explore hidden meanings or an underlying story.
What to Submit
Up to two (2) poems that respond to the art (each a maximum of 15 lines plus title). Express how the art puzzles, moves, frightens, enlightens you, etc. Please do not put your name or identifying info on the poem. Do not include artwork image on poem or in email.
2025 Artworks
- The Briscoe Western Art Museum: Twilight Owl, Edwoud de Groot. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in., Loan
courtesy of the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation
https://briscoemuseum.org/poetry-contest/ - McNay Art Museum: Hudson River Day Line, Joan Mitchell, 1955. Oil on canvas, 79 x 83 in., Museum
purchase with funds from the Tobin Foundation
https://www.mcnayart.org/event/2025-ekphrastic-poetry-contest/ - Ruby City: Living through strange times, Wangechi Mutu, 2004. Linda Pace Foundation Collection, Ruby
City, San Antonio, Texas
https://rubycity.org/2025-national-poetry-month-ekphrastic-poetry-contest/ - San Antonio Museum of Art: Man Playing Trumpet, Marcus Leslie Singleton, 2020. Oil on canvas, 48 x
36 in., San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Lenora and Walter F. Brown
https://www.samuseum.org/events/event/2025-national-poetry-month-ekphrastic-poetry-contest/?year=2025&month=2&day=5&hour=16&minute=0&second=0 - The Witte Museum: Salesman’s Sample Horned Chair, Charles Puppe, Steerhorns with a Cowhide
Upholstery Seat. Gift of Mrs. Harriette L. Tinkle.
https://www.wittemuseum.org/ekphrastic2025/
How to Submit
- Attach one poem per email in a PDF or Microsoft Word doc or docx to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com. Subject line should read: Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Submission (YOUTH or ADULT) – (Selected Artwork Title).
- Your email must include:
Title of your poem
Your name
City & state
Phone number
Email address
Youth entries must include age.
Contest Deadline
March 7, 2025. Only San Antonio & South Texas adult & youth poets are eligible. Categories: Adults; Youth, ages 13 – 17; Youth, age 12 and under.
Judges
Jim LaVilla Havelin, 2025 National Poetry Month coordinator, Eddie Vega, San Antonio Poet Laureate, and Linda Simone, poet & artist, will select up to three poems per artwork for each category.
Winning Poems
Winners will be notified via email by March 19. By March 21, Winners must attach their winning poem(s) as a PDF in an email to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com. Email subject line must read: (ADULT or YOUTH) Winning Poem PDF – (Your Name). Winning poems will be posted on websites throughout April, National Poetry Month.
Save the Date
Ekphrastic Celebration Reading by winning poets at Ruby City on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.
