Ekphrastic Poetry Contest sponsored by 2021 National Poetry Month San Antonio
Welcome, poets from San Antonio and South Texas! You are invited to view artwork images from four participating San Antonio arts institutions as inspiration for poems written in response to the images. Up to 3 winning poems per artwork will be selected by the judges (Jim LaVilla-Havelin, National Poetry Month Coordinator; Octavio Quintanilla, 2018-2020 San Antonio Poet Laureate; and Linda Simone; poet, artist, educator) and shared throughout April, National Poetry Month. Winners will be notified by email no later than March 25, 2021.
Contest Guidelines
Deadline for Submissions:
Midnight, March 20, 2021. There is no entry fee.
Where the Artworks Live: Thanks to these art institutions for sharing artwork from their collections for purposes of this contest. Their images and the contest guidelines can be found at the following links:
- The Briscoe Western Art Museum, Once Upon a Time, Mark Maggiori
- The McNay Art Museum, Sarah #9 , Heidi McFall
- San Antonio Museum of Art: Mama Ocllo, First Coya (unknown artist)
- The Witte Museum, Apache Pitch Lined Basket
Artworks & Guidelines can also be viewed at the following sites: Arts Alive San Antonio, Bihl Haus Arts, Gemini Ink, and San Antonio Public Library.
What to Submit:
Submit up to two (2) poems (each no more than 15 lines plus title) written in response to the posted images. Poets should not simply describe the image they see; they should also share how the image affects them (puzzling, touching, frightening, enlightening, etc.).
How To Submit:
In an email to lindsim1@gmail.com include: your name, address, phone and email, and attach one poem per email in a Microsoft Word doc. No name / identifying info should be on the poem. Each poem must be sent in a separate email; the email subject line should read: Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Submission – (Title of Artwork).
The Judging:
Up to 3 winning poems per artwork will be selected by the judges (Jim LaVilla-Havelin, National Poetry Month Coordinator; Octavio Quintanilla, 2018-2020 San Antonio Poet Laureate; and Linda Simone; poet, artist, educator) and shared throughout April, National Poetry Month. Winners will be notified by email no later than March 25, 2021.
