Our Natural World in 8×8 – An Art and Poetry Exhibition
Our natural world has inspired poets and artists for generations.
For this exhibit, we invite you to create a form of visual art inspired by a poem written about the environment or our non-human relations therein. This poem may be either written by you or written before 1924 so that it is part of the public domain.
You can look for inspiration in this document compiled by our staff, it contains a sampling of poems in the public domain. If you choose to write your own poem, this website gives examples of the wide variety of poems you may consider including short formats such as Haiku or more traditional formats such as Odes.
Any type of art is acceptable, but it must be 8 by 8 inches in dimension or be able to stand on a flat surface in an 8-by-8-inch square.
- All visual art types are welcome. These types include but are not limited to: painting, drawing, sketching, sculpture (recycled and/or found art), mosaic, collage and photography.
- We strongly recommend using recycled, reused and environmentally friendly materials. For example, use cardboard from a box as your “canvas” or purchase an eco-friendly stretched 8-by-8-inch canvas at a local arts supply store.
- Instructions on how to create an 8-by-8-inch format can be found here, or visit the second floor desk and the library will provide you with 8-by-8-inch eco-friendly cardstock to use.
- To enter the exhibit, use the form below to share images of art work in JPG or PNG format along with the poem or words that inspired you to create the art.
- If you submit a three-dimensional piece (i.e., sculpture) you are welcome to submit images from multiple angles.
- All submissions entered will be featured on the library’s Flickr account along with the poems that inspired their creation.
- Three age categories: Elementary School (grades K-5); Middle and High School (grades 6-12); Adult (18 and older).
- Twenty-five pieces from all of the age categories will be selected to be exhibited in the library’s front lobby, along with the poems that inspired their creation, from April 1-21 to coincide with the Princeton Environmental Film Festival and Earth Day.
- Those selected for the lobby exhibit will notified via email by March 15, 2025.
- Additional pieces entered by those in the youth categories will be displayed on the third floor in April to celebrate Earth Day.
- The library will print photographic entries that are selected for the exhibit otherwise participants selected for the exhibit will need to drop their art off at the library by March 25, 2025.
- One entry per person will be accepted.
Contest entry form opens on January 6, 2025 and all submissions must be entered by March 1, 2025.