ENFIELD — Enfield Poet Laureate Nzima Hutchings is seeking poetry and visual art submissions for an upcoming Jazz Poetry Anthology and performance opportunity.
Submissions are accepted from people 16 and up, of all backgrounds in and out of the Connecticut area.
Hutchings is looking for rhythmic, jazz-inspired poetry that celebrates the essence of jazz through playful alliteration, cadence and rhythm, visual metaphors inspired by blues and jazz, skit-skat energy and Harlem Renaissance-inspired language. Additionally, she is seeking original jazz-inspired visual art pieces that capture the dynamic fusion of poetry and music. Submissions may include drawings, paintings, collages or photography in black-and-white or vibrant colors.
“I would like high school students to participate,” Hutchings said, “I would love for the college students to participate. I’m looking for the community to participate. Anyone who thinks that they have something to offer in the poetry world to participate in this project.”
She went on to say, “I wanted to reach visual arts, literary arts and art of music. I wanted to infuse all three arts together and I’m hoping that it will inspire folks who love art or poetry to look into other disciplines.”
Submission criteria
Format: Microsoft Word document, 12-point font
Length: Maximum of two pages per submission
If submitting a one-page poem, you may submit up to two poems (both may be published)
Bio and photo
Include a 50-word bio for publication
Submit a headshot photo (no sunglasses, minimal background and no heavy filters) for promotional purposes
Themes poems can focus on
Jazz music, musicians or the jazz scene
Rhythmic or improvisational styles inspired by jazz
Connections to the Black American experience or other cultural expressions of jazz
Send an original piece. Wait six months before publishing accepted submissions in other anthologies. No royalties exchange. Author copies will be made available to order after completion of the project — May 1 — for one year.
Artwork can explore themes such as:
Instruments like saxophones, trumpets or pianos
Jazz café scenes or performers
Abstract interpretations of jazz and poetry
Iconic figures such as Langston Hughes, Miles Davis, Amiri Baraka, Billie Holiday, Sonia Sanchez or Duke Ellington
Unique concepts, such as poetry or words visually flowing from an instrument
Requirements:
Artwork must be original and submitted digitally in high-resolution JPEG or PNG format.
File should be suitable for display and reproduction.
Include the following with your submission: Title of your piece, short description — up to 50 words — explaining the inspiration and connection to jazz or poetry and an Artist Bio (up to 50 words), highlighting your background and artistic approach.
Note: Suggested themes are encouraged but not limited. Let your creativity lead.
If artwork was submitted and published, please cite the source and copyright info
Optional: Jazz-inspired photos are also welcome for submission. Please submit your work of art only for credit/copyright purposes. (High resolution jpeg or png photo for art pieces). Modest payment and acknowledgement for jazz photo art if your photo makes the cover.
Send work to EnfieldPoetNzima@gmail.com. Include “Jazz Poetry Submission” in the subject line. Deadline is due Jan. 15, 2025. Selected poems will be published in a special anthology, with an exclusive opportunity to perform on Feb. 10, 2025, during Hutchings’ Poetry Café Show and at the first Annual Community Poetry Festival on April 26, 2025, curated and organized by Hutchings at the Enfield Public Library, 104 Middle Rd. Sponsored by Enfield Cultural Arts Commission and the Independent Artist Fund Grant, and Every Kinda Lady LLC, Barkel McClane Photography.
“I would like for this to be the first and continue annually or bi-annually depending on the outcome,” said Hutchings. “I would like for this to be something ongoing and build a community around poetry, jazz and visual arts. The goal is for everyone to have an opportunity to touch on all of the mediums and ultimately have a space to express themselves and also to have an audience.”
For more information on the submissions, visit https://tinyurl.com/3fdethnb.
For questions or additional details, contact Hutchings at 1-860-800-5239 or enfieldpoetnzima@gmail.com.
