Press release from the Caldwell Arts Council:
The Caldwell Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Western NC Regional Poetry Competition. Seventy-nine poets submitted a total of 145 poems for this competition. All poems were reviewed by preliminary judge, David B. Prather of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and award selections were made by Kari Gunter-Seymour, Poet Laureate of Ohio. Both award winners and judges will read their works during a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at 7 p.m.
- $500 First Place: “When you tell me I’m being racist” by Catherine Carter, Cullowhee, NC
- $250 Second: “The Ottoman Empire” by Elizabeth Brandes, Hickory, NC
- $150 Third: “The River at World’s End” by Benjamin Cutler, Whittier, NC
- $100 Fourth: “Lessons from the Field” by Anne Maren-Hogan, Burnsville, NC
- $75 Fifth: “Figs” by Joyce Compton Brown, Troutman, NC
$25 Honorable Mention Awards:
- “Nocturnal Howl Before Compline” by Jenny Bates, Germanton, NC
- “Old Barn” by Les Brown, Troutman, NC
- “Bluegills Take Part in the Creation of the World” by Catherine Carter, Cullowhee, NC
- “Prayer for a New Trail” by Bill Griffin, Elkin, NC
- “September Sunset” by Benjamin Cutler, Whittier, NC
Competition awards were made possible by a contribution from Blue Ridge Energy.
The live online poetry reading will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Email the Caldwell Arts Council at WNCPoetryCompetition@caldwellarts.com for the link to the zoom event.
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