Via The Phipps Center for the Arts:

Tropical Wings, a gathering of citizens dedicated to celebrating and sustaining the migratory birds shared between the Upper Midwest and Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, seeks original poetry reflecting on themes related to migratory birds and their remarkable seasonal journeys, the connections between birds and people, the role of birds in the community of life, and the nature of flight. All forms of poetry are welcome. Entries must be received on or before April 24. Awards in youth and adult categories include an opportunity to be featured in a public reading on Friday, May 8, at The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wisconsin; a scholarship to be used as partial fee for an art and science Phipps Summer Art Camp class; field guides to the birds; and other prizes to be announced.

To participate, submit up to 3 poems of any form and any length, via e-mail to ashartin@thephipps.org with the subject heading “Tropical Wings Poetry Contest,” or by regular mail, Attention: Tropical Wings Poetry Contest, The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street, Hudson, Wisconsin, 54016. Include a cover sheet with name, address, phone, and e-mail. If older than 21, indicate Adult Category. If younger than 21, indicate Youth Category and provide age.

Winning entries will be selected by poet and National Park Service Ranger Dale Cox and environmental author/poet Laurie Allmann. Participating poets will retain all rights to their works, granting permission for noncommercial use of the submitted poetry by the sponsoring organizations (below), limited to educational efforts promoting the value of migratory birds and their habitat. Submissions will not be returned.

The 2015 Bird Migration Celebration, of which this poetry contest is a part, is a collaborative project of The Phipps Art Bench Trail (www.artbenchtrail.org), Rotary District 5960, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (National Park Service), and Tropical Wings. Tropical Wings formed in 2011 as a Sister Park arrangement was being developed among thirteen national park units in the Upper Midwest and seven parks around the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica.

For further information, contact Anastasia Shartin, visual arts director, at 715/386-2305, ext. 103.