The Walt Whitman Birthplace is inviting residents to contribute videos and artwork to celebrate the 202nd birthday of the famed American poet.
Selected videos from people showing themselves reading from Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and artwork inspired by the poet will be shown during a live Zoom event The recording will be uploaded to WWBA YouTube. Submissions are open, with a deadline of May 14. The Youtube video will premier on May 31, the poet’s birthday.
Videos should be two to three minutes showing a reading from a section from “Leaves of Grass.” Submissions must Include the contributor’s name and location of video recording. Creative backgrounds that highlight the locations are highly encouraged. Readings may be outdoors or indoors; in parks or museums; on trains or planes; in front of iconic locations – anywhere with visual interest.
Artwork:
All media are welcome. Artists may submit portraits of Walt Whitman or work inspired by his writing or legacy. Please be sure photo is cropped and can be seen clearly. No editing will be done to the image after it is submitted.
Please email video(s) or jpeg image(s) to WWBA Events & Media Director Caitlyn Shea at [email protected] on or before May 14 with:
Your Name
Your Location (City/State/Country)
Title or Section of Passage
Title & Medium of Artwork
Whitman, who was born in Huntington in 1819, is considered the father of free verse and a leading voice of American poetry.
The birthplace, at 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, is a New York State historic site and interpretive center.