Overwhelming response to Tideland: Art + Word Poetry Challenge

The Bega Valley Shire Library, SECCA (South East Centre for Contemporary Art) and the South Coast Writers Centre are excited to announce the results of the ekphrasis poetry challenge at a special free event at SECCA on Friday 28 February.

Julian Meagher, 'Inlet #13’. 152 x 122. Oil on linen, 2017. (Right) 'Inlet #9'. 152 x 122cm. Oil on linen, 2017. SECCA Collection. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.

24 February 2025

Acting Library Services Coordinator, Linda Albertson said 130 submissions were received for the TIDELAND: Art + Word Ekphrasis Poetry Challenge, which was launched on 16 December last year.

“We are thrilled with the level of interest from poets across Australia and pleasantly surprised at the number of submissions we’ve received,” Ms Albertson said.

“It demonstrates the high level of interest in poetry and that people are attracted to exploring the intersection of visual art forms with the written word to trigger new creations.”

SECCA Gallery Director, Janice Falsone who co-judged the submissions with South Coast Writers Centre Chair, Peter Frankis said the poems were inspired by specific artworks from the current TIDELAND: Works from the SECCA Collection exhibition.

“The poems, like the artworks, engage with themes of water, regional identity and the contested views on landscapes,” Ms Falsone said.

“We were impressed by the quantity and quality of the submissions. The project is a wonderful example of collaboration, cross-artform conversation and strong community engagement.”

Ms Albertson said everyone is invited to this Friday’s event, which runs from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

“We will reveal the 11 poems selected for display alongside the artworks and will have Bega Valley poets Gabrielle Journey Jones, Rae Kennedy and Nick Whittock performing new spoken word poems,” she said.

“There will be an open mic for one-minute poems and a DJ set by Kyle Wilson. Anyone is welcome to share their poems in the open mic sessions.”

“Attendees can also enjoy the commissioned work created for the Tideland project by Caren Florence, a contemporary text-based artist and poet.”

Event bookings can be made via this link: https://events.humanitix.com/tideland-art-word-project-launch

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia and Regional Arts NSW.

Making an enquiry

All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Events team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.

To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:

email media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
call 02 6499 2222

Councillors

Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Events team contact details above.

Receiving information

If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.

You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook and Instagram.

Our council websites

Contact Us

02 6499 2222
council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia
ABN: 26 987 935 332

Services

Community

Business

Development

Council