Unleash Your Inner Poet

April 20, 2016 Everyone is invited to a fun, free, family-friendly event where the art of Poetry takes center stage with the push to keep reusable waste out of our landfills. MEDIA are invited to do a preview story, which can include video/pictures of the current art installation, interviews with poets and the Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture or Department of Public Works. “Poetry at the Melrose Curve” is happening Friday, April 29, 2016, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at 7th Avenue and West Glenrosa Street. The celebration takes place at the Melrose Curve Public Art installation, which features artwork about sustainability by local poets and artists in an effort to bolster Phoenix’s efforts to recycle 40% of household waste by 2020. Throughout the event, kids can even pound out their own poems on vintage typewriters with the help of local poetry coaches and enjoy other poetry games. The event is being put on by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, in collaboration with Reimagine Phoenix and the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association. District 4 Councilwoman Laura Pastor will lead off the celebration. “I’m excited about the opportunity to showcase the important public art project that uses poetry to educate the public about our shared responsibility in caring for our environment,” said Councilwoman Pastor. “That we’re able to offer this community event during National Poetry Month is particularly significant.” Featured presenters include: Poets Jia Oak Baker and Tomas Stanton, who developed the current poetry display with students at Osborn Middle School Jake Friedman, editor of Four Chambers Press Hunter Hazelton, winner of Arizona’s statewide Poetry Out Loud Contest for 2016 Leah Marche of Black Poet Ventures Shawnte Orion of the Caffeine Corridor reading series. Since its creation in 2004, the Melrose Curve Public Art project has featured over 35 Arizona artists and 20 poets. The current project incorporates poems inspired by learning about a greener, more sustainable environment through recycling, gardening, composting, and reusing the waste that goes to city landfills. To schedule an interview, please contact Matt Hamada, Public Information Officer, at 602-376-5899. About Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture:The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission Public Art Program was established by the Phoenix City Council in 1986 to improve the design of the city’s public buildings, spaces and infrastructure. For more information, visit the Office of Arts and Culture website. Follow the Office of Arts and Culture on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Phxofficeofartsandculture and Twitter @phxarts_culture Media Contact: Matthew Hamada General Contact: Gail Browne Phone Number: 602-262-6213

https://www.phoenix.gov/news/arts/1286]]]]> ]]>