More than a Festival in Perry, Iowa:
A rebirth of culture through the arts in a small town, set on the prairie

Poetry on the Prairie is sponsored by the Iowa Poetry Association and Poetry &–a new group of poetry loving community members, dedicated to advancing the awareness and appreciation of all types of poetry in central Iowa.  This weekend event is part of the annual Art on the Prairie event in Perry, IA.  

Poetry has always been included in the annual Art on the Prairie celebration, but this year it will be offered in its own venue–Studio on Second, located at 1218 Second Street in Perry.  Planned events include a poetry slam at the Gamble Block Brewery, plus poetry readings by some of Iowa’s bestselling poets, open mic opportunities for poetry lovers, children’s workshops, and workshops for poets, including an Ekphrastic Workshop featuring selected artworks by Art on the Prairie artists.

All events are free and open to the public.

Poetry on the Prairie Schedule* 

Friday, November 11 — Gamble Block Brewery — 1203 Second Avenue, Perry

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.   |  Poetry Slam REGISTER  (Ages 18 & above)

• Kelsey Bigelow and Laura Johnson, Iowa Poetry Association (IPA) Co-Chairs

Saturday, November 12 — Studio on Second — 1218 Second Avenue, Perry

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   |  Beaverdale Books Shop (featuring books by participating poets)

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  |  Welcome and Poetry Readings

•  Deb Marquart, Iowa State Poet Laureate
• Paul Brooke, Grandview University
• Kyle McCord – Atmosphere Press
• Dawn Terpstra, Iowa Poetry Association

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.   |  Ekphrastic Writing Workshop  REGISTER

• Deb Marquart, Instructor

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. |  Poets on the Prairie Readings 

1:30 Intro Diane Glass, emcee

1:35  Jim Autry

1:45  Daniel Khalastchi

1:55  Michaela Mullin

2:05  Hai-Dang Phan

2:15  Marc Rahe

2:25  Leah Huizar

2:35  Robert Tremmel

2:45  Rustin Larson

2:55  Staci Harper Bennett

Break 3:05

3:30  Dennis Maulsby

3:40  Blueberry Morningsnow

3:50  Prince Harrison Jr.

4:00  Shannon Vesely

4:10  Diane Glass

Sunday, November 13 — Studio on Second — 1218 Second Avenue             

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  |  Beaverdale Books Shop

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  |  Readings by Lyrical Iowa Winning Poets

• Marilyn Baszczynski, Lyrical Iowa, Editor
• Bill Graeser
• Pat Underwood
• Allison Bartholmey
• Virginia Mortenson
• Rose Gottlieb
• Charlie R North
• Dawn Terpstra

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  | Student Workshop   (Grades 2-12) REGISTER

• Poet/Artist Julia Franklin, Instructor

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  |  Open Mic  REGISTER 

• Poet/Artist/Welder/Musician David Williamson, Emcee

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  | Student Open Mic REGISTER

*Please note: Tentative Schedule is subject to additions and other edits.

**Advanced Registration is required for the following events and opens October 15.  Registrations will close once seating or time allocations are filled.  To REGISTER , please send an email with your name and contact information to ipa@iowapoetry.com, including following subject headings:

•  Ekphrastic Workshop
• Open Mic (readers may read 4 to 5 poems, approx. 5 minutes)
• Student Open Mic (Grades K- 12)

Poetry on the Prairie is sponsored by:

Poetry & — a group of poetry loving community members, dedicated to advancing the awareness and appreciation of all types of poetry in central Iowa.  Watch for details about upcoming events, including Poetry Palooza! in Des Moines on April 6, 7, & 8.

The Iowa Poetry Association is a non-profit organization whose sole objective is to promote interest in and appreciation for better poetry by Iowans. Each year, IPA offers two workshops in the Des Moines area, where poems are critiqued by eminent teachers, editors or publishers. In addition, the IPA LIVE! online program of monthly mini-workshops and readings brings poetry learning and reading opportunities to IPA members across the state. The quarterly newsletter connects members to important updates and events, as does our Iowa Poetry Association Facebook group. Membership is open to any individual or group with an Iowa address.   An affiliate society of The Academy of American Poets and The National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc.

Art on the Prairie is a unique festival celebrating art, music, literature, and the joys of small town living, all wrapped up in a two-day event in historic downtown Perry during the second weekend in November.

Since 2006, Beaverdale Books has been selling new books in all genres, literary-themed sidelines, greeting cards, and merchandise from the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association. We support and represent over 500 local authors in our “Iowa Author” section and we proud to be part of this exciting celebration of poetry.