Putnam poets urged to enter Ehrmann Competition

Art Spaces Inc. and the Indiana State University Community School of the Arts have announced the 2014 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition.

Entries must be mailed or delivered by Feb. 14. The competition is open to individuals of all ages, living, working or attending school in Putnam, Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties. Cash prizes will be awarded.

The theme of the 2014 Max Ehrmann Poetry Contest is "Treasures." Participants are encouraged to submit original works that approach this theme in a unique way.

Up to two poems per contestant will be accepted. The contest will be judged by an Indiana poet.

The purpose of the competition is to encourage the writing of new poetry as a contemporary art form deeply rooted in tradition, to foster an interdisciplinary connection between art forms, and to honor Max Ehrmann, an internationally renowned regional poet whose works were inspired by the "treasures" of his own life, his community, its natural surroundings and the people in it.

A life-size bronze sculpture of the poet (Max Ehrmann at the Crossroads), by West Terre Haute artist Bill Wolfe, was installed in 2010 in Terre Haute as part of the Art Spaces collection. It is located at the corner of 7th Street and Wabash Avenue on the Arts Corridor at the Crossroads of America.

For an entry form, visit Art Spaces or ISU Community School of the Arts or write to info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com or call Art Spaces (812-235-2801) or ISU Community School of the Arts (812-237-2575).

Completed entry forms and poems must be delivered or mailed to: Art Spaces Inc., 669 Ohio St., Terre Haute, IN 47807.

Readings by the winners, and a selection of works by the professional poet adjudicating the competition, will take place at a public awards ceremony at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in April 2014, National Poetry Month. Winning entries will be exhibited at the Vigo County Public Library throughout the month of April.

The 2014 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition is sponsored by St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with support from Arts Illiana, Barnes and Noble at Indiana State University, Big Picture, Center for Community Engagement at Indiana State University, Creative Writing Committee of the Indiana State University Department of English, Delta Kappa Gamma, Downtown Terre Haute Inc., The Golden Frame, River Wools, Vigo County Historical Society and Wise Pies.