Four of the poems written during the poetry masterclasses featured in a poetry trail throughout the town centre and were based on the National Poetry Day theme of ‘messages’.
Known as Sign and Send, the poetry masterclasses took place at Palatine Library between 2-4 pm and Central Library from 6-8pm.
The winning poems from the masterclasses will be revealed at a special Wordpool event on National Poetry Day which takes place on Thursday 6 October at the Grundy Art Gallery from 6pm.
Artwork created by award-winning illustrators and filmmakers Emily& Anne also featured at the free event, and incorporated ideas on unusual ways to send messages.
Mandy Coe led a tour around the poetry trail which included five town centre shops featuring the winning poems and work from the Grundy Art Gallery’s NEON exhibition in the empty windows.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local poets to have their work featured in our town centre shop windows giving them potentially huge exposure to show off their creativity.
“The poetry trail is an exciting project which will help in the continued bid to animate the town centre for both residents and visitors alike, and hopefully develop Blackpool’s literary scene.
“Wordpool have created an Arts Award Poetry Adventure Trail booklet, available from the Grundy Art Gallery for £1, which will enable families to engage with the poems, sharing and enjoying them.”
The BID (Business Improvement District) will provide the funding to support the artwork from the illustrators, and source the shops to display the poems.
To book your place for the free event on Thursday 6 October, email Taneesha.Ahmed@blackpool.gov.uk or telephone the Grundy Art Gallery on 01253 478170.
