Public Poetics

San Gabriel Valley Phoenix Poets will pursue a series of public poetry initiatives to promote our community and its authentic self-expression. These public poetry initiatives include:

• Community Poetics: During community events, this public poetry practice invites individuals of all ages, backgrounds, languages, and writing levels to voluntarily receive a prompt customized for a given event, and to submit any piece of writing or illustration representing authentic self-expression in that moment. Then, we will compile all entries into a single poem (lightly edited) to present a collective voice.

• Broadside Bookmarks: A series of bookmarks featuring poetry written by SGV Phoenix Poets, recovery resources, and calls for action.

• Mural: We will commission an artist to paint a mural inspired by our public poetry initiatives. We’re currently seeking a mural site in the San Gabriel Valley.

• Videos: We will produce and publish on our website a series of video interviews with SGV Phoenix Poets poets who read their work and share their stories.