Words While We Wait Call For Submissions
Kawartha Lakes – In 2021, the Words While We Wait public art initiative gave residents an opportunity to share their experiences of the pandemic through poetry, displayed in Kawartha Lakes Public Transit shelters. That initiative provided a meaningful way to document a collective moment in time.
Four years later, one of the most significant connections to have emerged is our relationship with food. From the rise of sourdough starters and backyard gardening, to the realities of food insecurity, and the convenience of doorstep delivery, our thoughts on food within this agricultural community is at an all-time high.
“It's time once again to check in with our residents and capture their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through poetry. This call gives a way for local voices, both emerging and established, to share their connection with food in an accessible and creative way,” says Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer – Arts and Culture.
Local writer Joan Forsythe, moderator of the Circle of Writers at the Lindsay Library, member of the Wordsmith Group at the Lindsay Seniors Centre, and member of Kawartha Arts Network (KAN) supports the call, noting, “Kawartha Lakes has a thriving arts scene, and this project will showcase the talents of local poets and visual artists as they explore ‘Food… as it is in our lives in 2025,’ to both residents and visitors to the area.”
Call for Submissions
Residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes are invited to submit poems or verses that incorporate phrases and themes related to food. This creative, community-driven initiative will offer a window into how our neighbours are feeling and the activities that shape their daily lives. Through this public call, we aim to capture both individual and collective experiences.
Ten selected juried submissions will be paired with visual artists from KAN, who will create accompanying illustrations. The final works will be displayed on the Kawartha Lakes website, public transit system, and other media and partner platforms for public viewing. The chosen juried submissions will receive a $200 honourarium.
Key Details
March 21, 2025: Submissions Open (World Poetry Day)
April 30, 2025: Deadline for Submissions
May 15, 2025: Exhibition will be juried
May 30, 2025: Poems will be paired with participating KAN Artists
Summer 2025: Exhibition begins on Kawartha Lakes Public Transit System
This initiative is supported by the municipality’s Economic Development Arts and Culture division. It leverages both traditional and social media to celebrate April as National Poetry Month and promote local literary and artistic talent all summer long.
We invite all residents to share their voices and be part of this unique artistic reflection on food, culture and community.
For more information and submission details, please visit the Words While We Wait website, or email Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer – Arts and Culture.
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