2025 National Poetry Month Ekphrastic Poetry Contest
Poetry month is just around the corner! We've partnered with local poets and other art institutions to invite you to draw inspiration from artworks. Submit a poem written in response to Man Playing Trumpet from our collection. If you win, your poem will be shared in April to celebrate National Poetry Month.
What is an Ekphrastic Poem? An ekphrastic poem is based on a piece of art. These poems take an existing piece of visual art, and use written words to describe and expand on the theme of that work of art. Many of these poems explore hidden meanings or an underlying story.
Contest Information and Guidelines:
- Three categories: Adults; Youth (ages 13–17); Youth (under 12)
- Contest opens: February 5, 2025
- Submission deadline: March 7, 2025
- There is no entry fee.
What & How to Submit:
- Up to two (2) poems (each a maximum of 15 lines including title) written in response to the art. Poems should express how the art puzzles, moves, frightens, enlightens you, etc. Please do not put your name or identifying info on the poem. Do not include artwork image on poem or in email.
- Attach one poem per email in a PDF or Microsoft Word doc or docx to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com. Subject line should read: Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Submission (YOUTH or ADULT) – (Title of Selected Artwork).
- In your email include: your name, city & state, phone and email. Youth entries must include age.
SAVE THE DATE! April 5, 2025: Ekphrastic Celebration Reading by winning poets at Ruby City at 10 a.m.
Judges: Jim LaVilla Havelin, 2025 National Poetry Month coordinator, Eddie Vega, San Antonio Poet Laureate, and Linda Simone, poet & artist, will select up to three poems per artwork for each category.
Winners will be notified via email by March 19 and must attach their winning poem(s) as a PDF in an email to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com with email subject line: (ADULT or YOUTH) Winning Poem PDF – (Your Name). Winning poems will be posted at online sites throughout April, National Poetry Month.
2025 Artworks from Other Participating Institutions:
The Briscoe Western Art Museum: Twilight Owl, Edwoud de Groot. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in., Loan courtesy of the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation
McNay Art Museum: Hudson River Day Line, Joan Mitchell, 1955. Oil on canvas, 79 x 83 in., Museum purchase with funds from the Tobin Foundation
Ruby City: Living through strange times, Wangechi Mutu, 2004. Linda Pace Foundation Collection, Ruby City, San Antonio, Texas
The Witte Museum: Salesman’s Sample Horned Chair, Charles Puppe, Steerhorns with a Cowhide Upholstery Seat. Gift of Mrs. Harriette L. Tinkle
Contest guidelines also posted at:
Poetry month is just around the corner! We've partnered with local poets and other art institutions to invite you to draw inspiration from artworks. Submit a poem written in response to Man Playing Trumpet from our collection. If you win, your poem will be shared in April to celebrate National Poetry Month.
What is an Ekphrastic Poem? An ekphrastic poem is based on a piece of art. These poems take an existing piece of visual art, and use written words to describe and expand on the theme of that work of art. Many of these poems explore hidden meanings or an underlying story.
Contest Information and Guidelines:
- Three categories: Adults; Youth (ages 13–17); Youth (under 12)
- Contest opens: February 5, 2025
- Submission deadline: March 7, 2025
- There is no entry fee.
What & How to Submit:
- Up to two (2) poems (each a maximum of 15 lines including title) written in response to the art. Poems should express how the art puzzles, moves, frightens, enlightens you, etc. Please do not put your name or identifying info on the poem. Do not include artwork image on poem or in email.
- Attach one poem per email in a PDF or Microsoft Word doc or docx to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com. Subject line should read: Ekphrastic Poetry Contest Submission (YOUTH or ADULT) – (Title of Selected Artwork).
- In your email include: your name, city & state, phone and email. Youth entries must include age.
SAVE THE DATE! April 5, 2025: Ekphrastic Celebration Reading by winning poets at Ruby City at 10 a.m.
Judges: Jim LaVilla Havelin, 2025 National Poetry Month coordinator, Eddie Vega, San Antonio Poet Laureate, and Linda Simone, poet & artist, will select up to three poems per artwork for each category.
Winners will be notified via email by March 19 and must attach their winning poem(s) as a PDF in an email to EkphrasticPoetryContest1@gmail.com with email subject line: (ADULT or YOUTH) Winning Poem PDF – (Your Name). Winning poems will be posted at online sites throughout April, National Poetry Month.
2025 Artworks from Other Participating Institutions:
The Briscoe Western Art Museum: Twilight Owl, Edwoud de Groot. Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in., Loan courtesy of the Jack and Valerie Guenther Foundation
McNay Art Museum: Hudson River Day Line, Joan Mitchell, 1955. Oil on canvas, 79 x 83 in., Museum purchase with funds from the Tobin Foundation
Ruby City: Living through strange times, Wangechi Mutu, 2004. Linda Pace Foundation Collection, Ruby City, San Antonio, Texas
The Witte Museum: Salesman’s Sample Horned Chair, Charles Puppe, Steerhorns with a Cowhide Upholstery Seat. Gift of Mrs. Harriette L. Tinkle
Contest guidelines also posted at:
Marcus Leslie Singleton, Man Playing Trumpet. 2020. Oil on canvas. 48 × 36 in. (121.9 × 91.4 cm). San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of the Alex Katz Foundation. 2021.23.5 © Marcus Leslie Singleton
