Ekphrastic Poetry Contest invites AU community to create poetry inspired by select pieces in AU art collection
Art has a way of connecting people—and of connecting communities.
World Art Day is recognized globally on April 15. In celebration and to showcase some of the art in the Athabasca University Art Collection, AU students, alumni, staff, and Athabasca community members are invited to enter a contest to create poetry inspired by art from the collection.
"AU has an amazing collection of art that is expansive and spans decades,” said Laura Barakeris, AU Art Committee member and calendar/policy coordinator.
“I wanted to be able to share the collection with the local AU community, but also with those students, staff, and alumni who may not be able to walk the halls and see the pieces in person.”
An ekphrastic poem is poetry 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. Often these poems explore hidden meanings or an underlying story.
Bridging the gap between visual and literary art, the Ekphrastic Poetry Contest, organized by the AU Art Committee, encourages AU community members to view the art and think about it in a poetic way—maybe for the first time.
Ekphrastic Poetry Contest
The AU Art Collection is housed in the Thomas A. Edge Archives and Special Collections. Nine pieces from the collection have been selected for the contest, and participants may submit up to two poems that respond to the art.
Ekphrastic poem submissions may not exceed the length of one letter-sized (8.5" x 11") page, using standard formatting.
The top three winning poems will have their poetry displayed with the corresponding art on April 15 at the World Art Day event and will be viewable through to Convocation in June.
The first and second place winners will also receive a copied print of the AU artwork displayed beside their poem and third place will receive a greeting card stationery set featuring artwork from the AU art collection.
“This poetry contest is a way to highlight this art and showcase AU’s very creative community,” said Barakeris. “Bringing the two together to celebrate nine of our art pieces is the perfect way to celebrate World Art Day.”
Submitting your poetry
Submissions will be accepted until March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Mountain). Winners will be publicly announced on April 15, 2026, at the World Art Day event. Work must be submitted via the contest submission form.
The submissions will be judged by Priscilla Campeau, associate vice-president Indigenous Conciliation and professor of Indigenous studies, Dr. Michael Lithgow, associate professor of communication and media studies, and Dr. Mark McCutcheon, professor of literary studies.