Vision & Verse Poetry Contest

Fremont Area Community Foundation Fremont Area District Library

Fremont Area Community Foundation, in partnership with Fremont Area District Library and NCCA-Artsplace, is hosting the Vision & Verse Poetry Contest. We invite you to compose and share an original poem related to one of the selected pieces of art and demonstrate your creative talents!

Who may enter?

The contest is open to people ages 11 and up who live in Newaygo County. There is a limit of one entry per person. Entries may be mailed, brought to the library, or submitted via email no later than noon Friday, May 17, 2024.

What types of poetry may be submitted?

Poems do not need to follow a particular format. Participants shall view the selected artwork that will be displayed at the Fremont Area District Library, and write a poem based on one of the selected pieces. Images of the artwork are available below on this page and the Fremont Area District Library Facebook page for those who cannot make it to the library. Submissions should be limited to one page, and poems may be selected to be read live at the Vision & Verse Poetry Event on Wednesday, May 29 at 5 pm in Arboretum Park (rain location at the Community Room, Fremont Area District Library.)

Judging criteria:

Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria by a panel of poets, creative writers, educators, and philanthropists. Entries are not evaluated by library staff.

Original thought and perspective
Relevance to the selected art piece chosen
Word choice that powerfully conveys imagery and effectively conveys the subject
Rhythm, pattern, rhyme, metaphor, and/or analogy as relevant to the type of poem

Winners:

Awards will be announced at the Vision & Verse Poetry Event on Wednesday, May 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Arboretum Park, 529 Iroquois Drive, Fremont. A winner from each age group will receive a cash prize: $250 for ages 11-17 and $500 each for ages 18+. If there is inclement weather, the event will take place at Fremont Area District Library.

How to enter:

Complete the two-page entry form electronically or by hand. Return both pages by mail, email, or bring in to the library by noon on Friday, May 17.
Do not put any identifying information on the second page.
All entries become property of Fremont Area District Library and will not be returned.

Deliver, mail, or email both pages of this form to: