NEW: Hear Award-Winning Poetry at Fruitlands Museum

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Tuesday, May 01, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Fruitlands' 210-acre surrounding trails and landscape was the inspiration for the poetry competition.

The winners of the first ever Plein Air Poetry Competition will read their award-winning poems at a celebration held at Fruitlands Museum Sunday, May 6th at 1:00 p.m. in Harvard. The competition was sponsored by the museum and the Concord Poetry Center.

The inspiration for the poems in the competition is the museum itself. In September, Fruitlands announced that it would be receiving original poems written about, and on, the museum grounds. They were looking for their 210-acre property to inspire. The competition kick-off was hosted last September and featured Susan Edwards Richmond, Fruitlands’ 2007 Poet-in-Residence.

“Fruitlands has a rich literary history, stemming from Louisa May Alcott’s time spent on the grounds, coupled with a breathtaking array of natural beauty,” said Richmond, who is currently with the Concord Poetry Center. “It was a perfect fit to invite poets and writers to come be inspired and hone their craft.”

Fruitlands’ Director of Education and Public Programming is excited at the opportunity to showcase this year’s success.

“We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate the vibrant poetry community we have here the region with the announcement of first event Plein Air Poetry Competition awards,” Green said.

The event will also feature special guests X.J. Kennedy and the Light Brigade, composed of Bob Clawson, Barb Crane, Joan Kimball, and Amy Woods. The group will bring a light-hearted tone to the show.

The Plein Air Poetry Celebration is free to Fruitlands Museum and Concord Poetry Center members. Tickets are $6 for the reading and access to the grounds, and $12 for admissions to all the day’s events and museum buildings. For more information about the event, call (978) 456-3924 ext. 291.