The Reading Public Library is partnering with PA Humanities for a poetry project that is sure to make a splash here in our city. Our new Rain Poetry Project is kickstarting this March and will continue throughout the summer.
Rain Poetry engages children in a hands-on community poetry activity facilitated by local poets and teaching artists. A poetry workshop will be held at RPL Northeast Branch on Saturday, March 15th at 12PM in addition to Monday, March 17th at 4PM at the Main Library. Workshops are for children and teens grades 3+. All poems submitted through the workshop will be featured in a collective poetry book, and selected haiku poems will be installed on the ground in three public spaces around Reading (locations TBA) with a special rain-activated solution that allows the poetry to appear like magic by adding water!
Each installation will have its own community reveal celebration, inviting families, friends and neighbors to connect and celebrate the work of our young poets. The project will conclude with the publication of a collective book of all poems submitted through our workshops.
The theme for our Rain Poetry project is “Colors of my City”, inviting our young poets to reflect on our city’s architecture, landscapes, and diverse culture all through the use of sensory language. The theme is a natural fit for our Summer@RPL theme, Color Our World, and offers creative interpretation of the world around us.
The beauty of Rain Poetry is that young people can explore their voices and express themselves through poetry while transforming everyday spaces into opportunities to engage with the humanities and foster learning and conversation. Young poets of all experience levels are encouraged to participate in this engaging community arts program.
For questions or more details about participating in our Rain Poetry Project, please contact Caitlin Johnson at caitlin.johnson@readingpubliclibrary.org.