Poets House at Governor’s Island. For three weekends this summer, Poets House, one of the great places for poetry on the globe―a 60,000-volume free poetry library and literary hub―in Lower Manhattan, will create a poetic summer outpost in one of the historic houses of the island’s Colonels’ Row. Kids of all ages will have the chance to participate in an interactive art and poetry exhibit for all ages.
Featuring “Ode to New York City,” an exhibition of art and poetry created by downtown elementary school students, and murals from the Community Word Project, visitors of all ages are invited to contribute their own drawings and poetry, filling in the outline of a gigantic mural cityscape created by artist Felipe Galindo, making a city of poems.
A Haiku station where visitors can write in and play with the ancient form via social media applications will also be complemented by other stations with writing prompts.
Poets House Executive Director Lee Briccetti says, “Governors Island has become New York City’s Burning Man for families: A place to not only escape the city’s frenetic pace, but to channel energy into creativity and play.”
The art and poetry featured in “Ode to New York City” was created in classroom workshops sponsored by Goldman Sachs this past April, which is national poetry month. Students at PS 1, PS 89, and PS 276 worked with staff from Poets House and guest artists to reflect, write, and make art about their most treasured New York City landmarks, in conjunction with Landmarks50, a city-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Law. Their poetry was collected in an anthology and celebrated with readings at Poets House on Poem in Your Pocket Day, April 24.
This Poets House summer outpost complements these and other ongoing educational activities at 10 River Terrace. “We want to invite students, teachers and families to find us, have fun with poetry and then return to ‘the Mother ship’ during the school year on free school trips,” says Mike Romanos, Poets House Children’s Room and Educational Coordinator.
Date: 3 WEEKENDS: July 19th and 20th, July 26th and July 27th and August 2nd and August 3rd
Time: 11:30a – 3p
Location: Governor’s Island: 406 A Colonels’ Row
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
FiDi Families Insiders: click here for ferry information; ferries are free on weekend mornings
Press Release Courtesy of Poet’s House