In a move to integrate art into everyday life, Dallas is set to launch the Sidewalk Poetry Project, initiated by Dallas Poet Laureate Mag Gabbert. This innovative project aims to allow residents and visitors to encounter poetry directly while walking the city’s sidewalks.
Gabbert, who is also an assistant professor at Southern Methodist University, believes that incorporating poetry into public spaces will foster a greater appreciation for the art form among North Texans. “There’s no better way to do that than to physically stamp poems into sidewalks where people will be walking on a daily basis,” she stated.
Residents with connections to Dallas have until 5 p.m. on November 7 to submit their original poems for consideration. Selected poems will be stamped into one of 28 designated locations throughout the city, and winners will receive a $150 honorarium.
The selection of installation sites will focus on equity and inclusion, aiming to address past instances of marginalization within the community. Gabbert emphasizes that the project is intended to be welcoming, encouraging participation from those who have personal ties to Dallas, particularly individuals who wish to express their experiences and challenges through poetry.
“Each featured installation location will be chosen with a focus on equity and inclusion,” the project’s website states. This aligns with Gabbert’s vision to create a space for dialogue and reflection within the city.
However, there are specific eligibility criteria for aspiring poets. Individuals must not be minors, undergraduates, members of the Public Art Committee, or employees of the city of Dallas and their spouses.
Gabbert encourages all eligible individuals to reflect on their unique experiences within the city as they compose their poetry. She recommends that poets start by jotting down locations in Dallas that hold personal significance, as well as memories related to these spaces.
After establishing these points, poets can then engage with the 2-1 form designed for the project. This structure consists of two groups of lines or stanzas, separated by a blank line.
Gabbert provides guidance in navigating this creative process, noting that it could inspire poets to discover new insights. “That process of fitting in the building blocks of the details you want to share,” she advises, “there will be spaces that remain open that you may realize you have something interesting to say there or you may make some kind of discovery.”
The project website also outlines additional criteria for poem submissions, which include:
1. Poems must adhere to the 2-1 form.
2. They must be family-friendly and suitable for general audiences.
3. Poems should reflect the poet’s experiences or emotions related to Dallas neighborhoods.
4. Submissions can be in languages other than English if accompanied by an English translation.
Gabbert emphasizes the significance of poetry, recognizing its emotional and communicative power. “Poetry helps us to grieve and celebrate,” she noted, highlighting its role in addressing complex themes and nurturing creativity. “I’m just excited about it,” she expressed, hoping that the project will offer residents a lasting opportunity to connect with poetry in meaningful ways.
The poems selected will be reviewed over the next few months by a panel consisting of artists, city employees, and community members associated with the poem installation sites. Gabbert anticipates that the first poems will be integrated into the sidewalks starting in January, marking the beginning of a new era for poetry in public spaces in Dallas.
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