Kawartha Lakes calls for poetry submissions in public art project

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Poetry is once again taking centre stage in the City of Kawartha Lakes, as the municipality invites residents to submit their creative works for a new public art initiative. Building on the success of the 2021 Words While We Wait project, this year’s theme focuses on food and its deep connection to the community.

“It's time once again to check in with our residents and capture their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through poetry,” said Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer – Arts and Culture for the City. “This call gives a way for local voices, both emerging and established, to share their connection with food in an accessible and creative way.”

The call for submissions reflects how food has played a significant role in daily life over the past few years. Whether it’s the rise of home baking, the shift toward local farming, or issues of food insecurity, the project aims to highlight how residents relate to food in 2025.

Local writer Joan Forsythe, moderator of the Circle of Writers at the Lindsay Library and member of the Wordsmith Group at the Lindsay Seniors Centre, supports the initiative. “Kawartha Lakes has a thriving arts scene, and this project will showcase the talents of local poets and visual artists as they explore ‘Food… as it is in our lives in 2025,’ to both residents and visitors to the area.”

Residents are encouraged to submit poems or verses incorporating themes related to food. Ten selected entries will be paired with visual artists from the Kawartha Arts Network (KAN), who will create accompanying illustrations. The final works will be displayed on the Kawartha Lakes website, public transit shelters, and other media platforms. Juried selections will receive a $200 honorarium.

Submissions opened on March 21st, in celebration of World Poetry Day, with a deadline of Wednesday, April 30th. The exhibition will be juried in May, with the final works set to be unveiled on public transit and online during the summer.

This initiative, supported by the Economic Development Arts and Culture division, aligns with National Poetry Month in April and aims to promote local artistic and literary talent throughout the summer.