Monrovia Sidewalk Poetry Contest Submissions Now Open

MONROVIA, CA — Original works of poetry will be hitting the streets of Monrovia — literally.

The city is accepting submissions of original poems from residents now until June 4 as part of the Art in Public Places' annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest. Winners will have their poems stamped into freshly poured concrete sidewalks across the city.

Poems must be family friendly and under 250 characters, including any spaces and punctuation, contest organizers said in a statement. Residents can submit up to two poems, and submissions will be judged on their originality, creativity and quality.

The locations of each selected poem will be random; placement will be made in conjunction with Monrovia’s sidewalk repair efforts and any development projects requiring new sidewalk panels, organizers said.

Because the sidewalk repairs and installations are done on an as-needed basis, there’s no definite date as to when a poem will be stamped.

Contest applications can be found online at cityofmonrovia.org/art, and completed submissions can be sent to Kerri Zessau at [email protected].