Source: Press Release shared by Nicholas Ravnikar.

The Poetry Movement offers cash prizes for short poems focused on mental health

A new nonprofit program called The Poetry Movement is seeking submissions of 25-syllable poems about mental health in Racine for a new contest that aims to put poems inside Ryde Racine city buses in January of 2025.

The Poetry Movement is offering two writing workshops aimed to help community members write and revise their short poems: The first is slated for Thursday, August 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the Racine Literacy Council, 734 Lake Ave. The second will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 at NAMI-Racine County, 4701 Washington Ave Suite 255.

Submissions are due October 1, when Mental Health Awareness Month kicks off. Poets can submit their work at www.thepoetrymovement.org/bus-poems. Those unable to access the internet can also submit their 25-syllable poem about mental health in Racine to The Poetry Movement, care of ArtRoot, PO Box 1523, Racine WI 53401, along with their first and last name, contact information (phone and/or email address and/or mailing address), and a short biography.

Winners of the contest will be informed in November, with poems appearing on buses in January of 2025.

Serving as judges for the contest will be Carthage College writing professor Richard Meier, University of Wisconsin-Parkside professor Dean Karpowicz, Gateway Technical College instructor Anna Stotts, and current ArtRoot Racine Writer-in-Residence “Earth” Talinna Holton.

Because this is the inaugural contest, the number of winning poems is yet to be determined, as are any categories or age groups, based on the submissions received. Cash prizes will be awarded in addition to publication, though the overall amount will depend on the number of submissions and ranking system that judges finalize. Writers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to apply.

The program, organized by former Racine writer-in-residence Nicholas Ravnikar, is made possible in part through partnerships with the City of Racine Transportation Department’s Ryde Racine, the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Racine County, ArtRoot, Family Power Music, LLC, and the Racine Literacy Council, as well as funding from the Racine Arts Council’s ArtSeed grant program and the Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation.

As stated, the contest’s guidelines require submissions to be 25 syllables in length and somehow address mental health in Racine.

“It doesn’t need to be overt,” Ravnikar said. “A poem that describes how a particular place makes someone feel addresses the theme. What about living in Racine makes you happy or sad? How do you feel watching the sunrise from North Beach with plastic bits in the sand between your toes? What is it like walking down Memorial in the shadow of RYOCF? We’re just looking to give people from our whole community to explore their thoughts and feelings.

Even writing itself has mental health benefits, he added.

“Writing poetry is so beneficial for your mental health,” said Sheri Hess, Outreach Coordinator for NAMI Racine County. “It provides an outlet for emotions and thoughts. Poetry helps us process our life experiences in a healthy way.”

Following the July 26 event two more workshops will be held specifically designed to support writing poems that meet the formal guidelines of the contest. One will be held on Thursday, August 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Racine Literacy Council. The other will be held at the NAMI Racine County office, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 12.

“The requirements aren’t too serious,” said Ravnikar. “But it will introduce a brand-new poetic form that will challenge writers and provide a fun structure for new poems.”

Ravnikar, who himself lives with a number of mental health diagnoses that include Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar 2, said that writing poetry has provided him with a lifeline throughout his struggles.

"Having those poems as conversation starters can be a good place to begin developing an awareness and consideration of what other people might be struggling with," he said. "In addition to highlighting the need for public transit within our community, I really hope this project can give people in our community a chance to see a whole kaleidoscope of voices and visions shared in the public eye."

Contact:
Nicholas Michael Ravnikar
414-551-4654 (text or call)
nicholasmichaelravnikar@gmail.com