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Word UP! 2009
Let Your Voice Be Heard!

WHAT:
The public libraries of Jefferson County are sponsoring a spoken word contest for high school students (grades 9-12). The students will write and perform an original work inspired by a work of art at the Birmingham Museum of Art. The participants in WORD UP! will be the winners from each school's contest. Each school is responsible for its own contest.
 
WHEN:
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
 
WHERE:
The Birmingham Museum of Art, Steiner Auditorium
HOW:
 

The deadline for schools to declare their participation is December 12, 2008. Call 226-3670 or email hm@bham.lib.al.us. The deadline for schools to submit their winners' names is January 30, 2009.

The prize for first place is $150,
second place is $100,
and third place is $75.


Word Up! Flyer (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Word Up! Bookmark (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)


Resources

Select ONE of these art works at the Birmingham Museum of Art as the inspiration for your poem:

Portrait of Lady Helen Vincent, Viscountess D'Abernon
by John Singer Sargent
located in the American Galleries, 2nd floor

Looking Down Yosemite Valley, California
by Albert Bierstadt
located in the American Galleries, 2nd floor

Headdresses
Sioux people
located in the Native American Galleries, 3rd floor

Female Helmet Mask (sowei)
Mende people, Sierra Leone
located in the African Galleries, 3rd floor

Links to information on poetry inspired by art:


http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/pubs/A4/marshall.html

http://www.webook.com/project/Ode-to-Art-Poetry-for-Paintings

YouTube videos of spoken word performances: