Community invited to attend Poet’s Pause poetry reading

July 3, 2012: Whistler, BC – The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) would like to invite poetry lovers to witness a reading of the winning poems from the municipality’s fourth Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 3 p.m.

During the April 17 regular meeting of council, Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden announced the two winners of the Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition. In March, the RMOW’s Public Art Committee invited writers to submit original poems for the competition. Poems were commissioned for display at the Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park and as part of the Mayor’s Poetry Challenge. The Mayor’s Poetry Challenge was spearheaded by Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco, as a way of celebrating National Poetry Month.

“I am a strong supporter of Whistler’s increased focus on building cultural tourism and nurturing culture in the community,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “Contests like this one help to bring arts and culture to the forefront while enhancing the visitor and resident experience.”

The competition received 20 poems. When the judging was undertaken for the poetry, the names of the writers were not available to the judges. This is the anonymous manner in which all Whistler Public Art Projects are juried.

Pemberton resident, TJ Cheverie won for his poem Time" (Togetherness theme) and Whistler resident and former Poet’s Pause winner, Mary McDonald won for her poem “Homage” (Listening theme).

In celebration of the competition, the Public Art Committee has invited Cheverie and McDonald to present their poems at a public reading on July 8. Starting at the giant chairs, known as Lakeside Couple, Cheverie will read his poem. Moving to the chimes sculpture site, known as Lost in Sound, MacDonald will then read her poem.

The event will be hosted by Joan Baron, the artist that won the public art competition that resulted in the Poet’s Pause project. Cake and refreshments will be served.  Alta Lake Park is located at the southwest shore of Alta Lake, directly opposite Wayside Park. It is accessible by the Valley Trail from Alta Lake Road. It is 600 metres along the Valley Trail from the Wayside Park parking lot.

Click here for more information on the Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition and to view the winning poems:

About the Public Art Committee

The Whistler Public Art Committee of council meets monthly to discuss various art projects and sets the Public Art Program.  The Committee consists of ten volunteers who are appointed by council and includes: artists, gallery owners, Whistler Arts Council members, business community members, urban designers and developers, a member of Council; and Whistler residents who are passionate about art.

Members of the Public Art Committee have knowledge of contemporary art, are committed to excellence, and represent the community. They are also responsible for managing all public art projects to ensure that they are safe and durable within the public realm.

About the Resort Municipality of Whistler

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is Whistler’s local government led by an elected council and administered by an executive team and staff on behalf of 9,824 residents and two million annual visitors. The RMOW manages municipal planning and development, park and Village operations, sports facilities and recreation, public utilities and environmental services, bylaws and enforcement, fire rescue, fiscal planning and financial services, legislative services, human resources, communications and the administration of the Whistler2020 Comprehensive Sustainability Plan and Whistler’s Official Community Plan. The RMOW collaborates with in-resort and external partners to create visitor experiences and enrich community life.

Whistler’s vision is to be the premier mountain resort community as it moves toward sustainability. Whistler was the proud Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.