The Meridian Museum of Art has announced a community-wide writing contest, titled “Art Speaks, We Write,” in collaboration with the Mississippi Writers Guild, the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance, and The Montgomery Institute. This initiative invites participants to engage creatively with the museum’s permanent collection through poetry, prose, or digitally recorded songwriting.
Open to youth in grades 6-12 and adults, the contest encourages writers to select an artwork from the museum and respond with their original pieces. Participants are urged to begin with a close visual analysis of the chosen artwork and enhance their writing by researching the artist, the historical context, or relevant cultural themes.
Richelle Putnam, project director, emphasized the contest’s goal to foster deeper connections between visual art and writing. “This writing contest invites our community to slow down, look closely, and engage with the stories preserved inside the Meridian Museum of Art’s permanent collection,” she stated. “We want writers, especially our youth, to move from observation to curiosity and research, discovering the deeper histories behind the images.”
The educational aspect of this initiative was highlighted by Kate Cherry, executive director of the Meridian Museum of Art. She noted that connecting visual art to literature enhances critical thinking and creative expression. “Relating visual art to literature strengthens critical thinking and creative expression,” Cherry remarked. “Connecting artwork to writing encourages people to ask questions, research, and better understand artistic choices — skills that enrich their own creative process.”
Additionally, Caleb Phillips, deputy director of the Meridian Museum of Art, described the competition as an opportunity for participants to translate visual elements into written narratives. He added that it allows exploration of significant themes such as history, identity, and inequality. “We are excited to showcase the talent of local students and adults alongside the artworks that inspire them,” Phillips said.
The contest is divided into three age categories:
– Youth (Grades 6–8)
– Youth (Grades 9–12)
– Adult (18+)
Participants can submit entries in the following formats:
– Poetry (maximum 32 lines)
– Prose (maximum 500 words)
– Digitally Recorded Song (maximum 4 minutes)
Cash prizes range from $25 to $150 for youth categories and $50 to $175 for adults. Winning entries will not only receive monetary awards and certificates but will also be showcased alongside the artworks that inspired them. Honorable mentions will receive certificates as well.
The contest will be open for submissions from March 1 to March 27, 2026, with judging concluding on April 5, 2026. An awards ceremony is scheduled for April 11, 2026, at the Meridian Museum of Art. Entry into the contest is free, and detailed guidelines along with entry forms can be obtained at the Meridian Museum of Art or on the Mississippi Writers Guild website under the events section.
This initiative is made possible through an Individual Artist Grant awarded to Putnam by the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, showcasing the collaborative effort to promote artistic expression within the community.
