National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture. Madison Public Library is celebrating National Poetry Month this year with workshops, book displays and a poem a day.
Workshops
Ideas & Inspiration Poetry Workshop with Sherman Funmaker
April 19, 6:30-7:30PM | Bubbler Room at Central Library
Get your ideas flowing with this poetry workshop led by poet and Ho-Chunk elder, Sherman Funmaker. Sherman will read some of his own work, and afterward participants will learn from Sherman and from each other about different ways to approach their writing and generate ideas.
Perfect for anyone working on the NaPoWriMo (or Poem a Day) challenge for National Poetry Month (but not required)! Poets of all skill levels are welcome.
LNU QTKrip Showcase + Mini Artists Market
April 28, 6-8PM | Pinney Library
LNU QTKrip* Showcase + Mini Artists Market is brought to you by Beyond the Page and Loud 'N Unchained Theater Co., music brought to you by Femme Noir
Artists include Basal Jones, Rain Cooper, Sirena Flores, SunShine Raynebow, Lexy Ware, Charles Payne, Alikz, Ti S Banks and Sarah B.
*QT stands for queer and trans. Krip is a reclaimed word from disabled Black artists. Featured artists identify with all or one of the terms that make up QTKrip.
Fourth Friday Poetry Group
April 28, 1-2PM | Lakeview Library
Come to read; come to listen; come to celebrate poetry with this group of fellow poets and poetry aficionados.
Upcoming Events
Central Library
Lakeview Library
Pinney Library
Sequoya Library
Poem A Day
Beginning in 2018, Madison Public Library celebrated National Poetry Month by posting a poem a day throughout the entire month of April. In various years, poems were recommended by Madison-area readers and writers, curated by City of Madison Poet Laureates, or selected by Library staff.
You can check out the highlighted poems and find out why each was chosen on the A Poem a Day page.