EKPHRASTIC POETRY CONTEST GUIDELINES
This event has ended. See the 2021 Ekphrastic Poetry Winners HERE.

Welcome, poets from San Antonio and South Texas! Poetry month is just around the corner in April. We’ve partnered with local poets and other art institutions to invite you to a poetry contest drawing inspiration from viewing art.

Submit a poem written in response to Sarah #9, Heidi McFall from our Collection. If you win, your poem will be shared in April to celebrate National Poetry Month.

What is an Ekphrastic poem?
Ekphrastic poetry has come to be defined as poems written about works of art; however, in ancient. Greece, the term ekphrasis was applied to the skill of describing a thing with vivid detail.

Deadline for Submissions: Midnight, March 20, 2021. There is no entry fee.

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.).

Where the Artworks Live: Poets can choose to write about any of the following works of art. Thanks to these art institutions for sharing artwork from their collections for purposes of this contest. Images of the artworks can be found on 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

Where Artworks Can Also Be Viewed: Images and contest guidelines will also be posted on these sites:

Arts Alive San Antonio: https://artsalivesa.com/

Bihl Haus Arts: https://bihlhausarts.org/

Gemini Ink: https://geminiink.org/

San Antonio Public Library: https://www.mysapl.org/

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.