An inspiring poetry project that will see people creating poems from recyclable items is looking for more interestingly printed materials.

The National Poetry Centre’s Rubbish Words event is a free three-day poetry pop-up taking place at Leeds Corn Exchange this month (October), with poet Sarah Dawson helping budding wordsmiths.

Sarah is asking people to donate items such as old posters, theatre programmes, packaging – or anything else with words on and in any language – to inspire creativity at Rubbish Words.

“Everyone is welcome to unleash their creativity using recyclable materials such as magazines, old posters and theatre programmes,” explains Sarah.

“Together, we will transform the words we see around us every day into surprising new forms, which will be turned into an artwork.” 

The artwork will be created by Leeds-based artist George Storm Fletcher.

Rubbish Words runs from 18-20 October and from 10am-4pm. Participants don’t need to book and can just drop-in to the free event, staying as long as they like.

The carefully created poems will be made into an artwork by Leeds-based artist George Storm Fletcher at the end of the free event.

The poetry pop-up is made possible thanks to funding from Leeds City Council’s Cultural Investment Programme Grow: Project strand and the University of Leeds.

It is part of Poetry School’s ‘Summit’ Festival, a landmark eco-poetry, nature and climate literature festival, which takes place on 19 October at Yorkshire Sculpture Park and 20 October at the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. The festival, which encompasses two days of readings, workshops, surgeries, and performances, includes the prestigious Laurel Prize ceremony.

*If you have items you would like to donate please email sarah@sarah-dawson.co.uk by 14 October.