Arts Richmond is delighted to have collaborated with Be Richmond, the brand persona of Richmond Business Improvement District which represents over 300 member businesses, to brighten up Richmond town centre, bringing poetry to shop windows.
During the first lockdown, Arts Richmond launched ‘Poems for today’ – an initiative encouraging people to get creative and share their poetry. We are delighted that Be Richmond has selected four poems to cover the frontage of empty shop windows in Richmond town centre as part of their campaign to enhance the look and feel of the area.
Be Richmond’s initiative has seen empty shop units transformed by stylish, colourful graphics which showcase the rich cultural, architectural and natural heritage of the borough. The graphics have been funded by Be Richmond member businesses.
The poems featured include Colour by Karen Heyworth-Taylor, Familiarity by Nigel Pearce, At Seventeen by Patrick Osada and Currency of the time by Mary Gilonne.
Around 120 poems have been submitted so far as part of ‘Poems for today’, with additional poems drawn from About Time, the anthology of shortlisted entries for the 2019 Roger McGough Poetry Prize. Poems are published on Arts Richmond’s website and social media channels.
