Poetry opportunities

The Indianapolis Airport Authority and the Writers’ Center of Indiana are seeking Indiana poets to submit poems to be considered for inclusion in artwork at the new Indianapolis Airport.

The deadline for poetry submissions is Jan. 31.

Poets of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience are invited. Poets must be residents or have a significant connection to Indiana, which must be explained in a 50 to 100 word biography accompanying the poetry submission.

Submissions may be of any length and must not have been previously published. Desirable themes may include, but are not limited to, travel (especially air travel), aviation and aviation history, flying or being aloft, journeying, transition, visiting and returning home. Also desirable are writings expressing the character of Indiana — its land, people, culture, history and experiences.

The winning authors will receive payment for their submission and help determine the visual form of the text in the final artwork. The artwork and text will be seen by approximately 8 million passengers annually.

The winning poetry will be included in artwork created by Martin Donlin, a native of Great Britain, who has been commissioned to design 5,000 square feet of art glass for curtain walls in the airport’s new passenger terminal, now under construction. Preliminary designs for the glass may be viewed at www.newindairport.com/art_at_finalists.shtm. Previous Donlin artwork may be viewed at www.martindonlin.com.

Poetry submissions may be made electronically to airportpoetry@indianawriters.org no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 31. To receive full submission guidelines, including alternative methods of submission, e-mail airportpoetry@indianawriters.org or contact the Writer’s Center of Indiana at 317-255-0710.

The new Indianapolis Airport will feature a new terminal building located between the two existing main runways along with new highway access, new and improved parking and support facilities and improved utilities and airside operations. The airport is scheduled to open in late 2008.