Poetic murals, haiku recordings among laureate's plans for Detroit

jessica Care moore (Photo by Shadia Amen)

Detroit’s poet laureate, jessica Care moore, wants to “wrap Detroit with love,” and a $50,000 fellowship from the Academy of American Poets will help her do just that. moore, one of 23 poets nationwide to receive the grant, is using the funds to launch a three-part project: intergenerational poetry workshops, a citywide series of poetic murals, and an “audio poetry chapbook” featuring haiku written and read by Detroiters from all walks of life.

Working with the Love Building and local muralists, moore hopes to spark appreciation for poetry among young people and build pride in a city she says “sometimes doesn't get a lot of love.” The chapbook will be freely accessible online, and moore is seeking additional partners to expand the initiative beyond the initial grant. Her project underscores Detroit’s commitment to the arts — one of the few American cities with an official historian, composer laureate, and poet laureate.

Click to view the full article.