Bond in hunt for aspiring poets

Bond University is searching for aspiring poets to be part of a unique literary exhibition being held on campus on Sunday, March 23.

The Poetry Gallery is part of this year’s Bleach* Festival and will feature a series of original poetic works exhibited gallery style at Bond’s ADCO Amphitheatre.

“It will be a professionally curated exhibition so we’re inviting emerging and aspiring writers to submit their poems for consideration by our judging panel which includes representatives from the Queensland Poetry Festival and Bond University, along with performance poets David ‘Ghostboy’ Stavanger and Pascalle Burton,” said Bond’s Community Engagement Manager, Sharon Solyma.

“There are two categories available – one for high school students in Years 11 and 12, and an Open section for the wider community – so we’re hoping to uncover lots of fresh new voices and undiscovered literary talents.”

Entries for the Poetry Gallery close on Friday March 7. A select group of up to 30 Poetry Gallery entrants will be invited to participate in a special master class led by avant-garde performance poet, Pascalle Burton.

“The two-hour master class will run from 10am to as an artistic development opportunity for writers that provides insight into further opportunities for spoken word performances and experimental poetry,” said Ms Solyma.

“Pascalle has performed at live venues and festivals all over Australia and overseas, and won the Queensland Poetry Festival’s 2013 Filmmakers’ Challenge with her critically acclaimed film, Poems by Telephone.

“She will finish the workshop with a panel discussion featuring renowned songwriter/musician Nicky Bomba who was part of the John Butler Trio for many years and fronts the ARIA-nominated Melbourne Ska Orchestra, so this is a major opportunity for emerging artists to learn from the best in the business.”

The Bleach* Festival events at Bond University on Sunday, March 23 add up to a full afternoon of free live entertainment.

The Poetry Gallery gets underway at 2pm and will feature a performance by David ‘Ghostboy’ Stavanger at 3.30pm.

At 3pm, the 2014 Bond Music Series launches with singing sensation Tyus Arndt – the Year 12 Anglican Church Grammar student who features as a soloist in the Qantas advertisement and has performed across the USA with the Gondwana Choir.

And, at 3.45pm, Nicky Bomba takes to the ADCO Amphitheatre Stage with his calypso / reggae / mento / ska troupe, Bustamento, for their first-ever performance on the Gold Coast.

“Incorporating the Poetry Gallery with our Bond Music Series launch for 2014 is a perfect cross-over of creative writing, spoken word and musical performance that we hope will encourage community appreciation for emerging poets and songwriters,” said Ms Solyma.

Entries for the Poetry Gallery can be submitted via the entry form or email Sharon Solyma at Bond University on [email protected].  The Poetry Gallery project is supported by the Queensland Government’s Regional Arts Development Fund and City of Gold Coast.