Submit a poem about a fellow Calgarian to YYC Pop: Portraits of People

Calgary’s poet laureate Sheri-D Wilson is asking us to get our creative juices flowing and write a portrait about a fellow Calgarian. Submissions can be in the form of a poem, prose poem, or snapshot/flash fiction.

The project is called YYC Pop: Portraits of People and encourages writers to ask themselves:

• What is our identity as a city?
• Who are the people that live here?
• What do you love about them?
• What are their stories?

Wilson describes the project as a search for both extraordinary stories of ordinary people and ordinary stories of extraordinary people.

“YYC POP: Portraits of People is an opportunity for the community to come together, share their stories and listen to others,” says Wilson. “It is a chance to see who we are by sharing stories of the people who live here and make this city special.”

During National Poetry Month in April, selected works will be published in print and online and shared at public readings.

The deadline for submissions is November 30. Calgarians can submit their works and seek inspiration for their poetry at https://sheridwilson.com/2019/09/sheri-d-wilson-project-leader/.

Sheri-D Wilson is an award-winning author of 12 books, the creator of four short films, and has released three albums which combine music and poetry. She is known for her electric performance-style, making her a favorite of festivals around the world - she’s read, performed and taught in Canada, USA, UK, France, Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and South Africa.

Sheri-D Wilson was appointed Calgary’s Poet Laureate in 2018 and will serve until April 2020. The Poet Laureate is an artistic ambassador for Calgary, presenting at civic events, and producing literary work that reflects our city and its citizens.

Calgary Arts Development appoints a new Poet Laureate for Calgary every two years during National Poetry Month in April. Kris Demeanor served as the city’s first Poet Laureate from 2012 to 2014 followed by derek beaulieu from 2014 to 2016 and Micheline Maylor from 2016 to 2018.