Annually, the Resort Municipality of Whistler invites writers to submit original, unpublished poems for the Annually the Resort Municipality of Whistler invites writers to submit original, unpublished poems for the Poet’s Pause poetry competition.
The poems are displayed at the two Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park: the large metal chimes art piece titled “Lost in Sound” at the north part of the park and the giant Adirondack chairs titled “Lakeside Couple” at the south end of the park. The poems are inspired by the sculpture sites or by Whistler.
Poet’s Pause is part of a public art concept created by the late Joan Baron, an artist who developed the two Alta Lake Park sculpture sites with the intention of inspiring creativity.
2025 Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition
Seasoned and amateur writers of all ages were once again invited to contribute to public art in Whistler through the Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition, with a deadline for submissions of March 18, 2025.
The two winning selections (see below) each received a prize of $250 and were read during a Council meeting in April as part of National Poetry Month. Both of the winning poems will also be displayed at the Poet’s Pause sculpture sites in Alta Lake Park: one at the large metal chimes titled “Lost in Sound” located in the north part of the park, and the other at the giant Adirondack chairs titled “Lakeside Couple” in the south end of the park.
Winning poems:
Lakesounds (PDF) – By Victoria Crompton, 2025
Together (PDF) – By Rob Evans, 2025
For more information: 2025 Poet’s Pause Poetry Competition Terms of Reference (PDF)
Previous winners
