Bannockburn Arts is offering a new format for poets to hone their prose this April, as an extension to its annual programme of creative workshops, exhibitions and performances. 

Two free spots in an extended poetry class will be available for Central secondary school students.

The winners will be selected on the quality of one original poem that they submit to [email protected]

Award winning poet Sam Duckor-Jones is returning to Bannockburn on April 13-14 to host a weekend workshop, and kick off the new poetry class.

Following the weekend, participants will meet for one get-together weekly for 10 weeks, and each will read a poem that they have written in response to a poetry challenge set by Sam.

Poet Sam Duckor-Jones read out two poems at the opening of the Bannockburn Arts exhibition (October 2022). PHOTO: The Central App

Sam is currently transforming a derelict West Coast Church into a camp public sculpture: Gloria of Greymouth. He has published two books of poetry, and won awards for his writing. 

The course is open to everyone regardless of whether you are a beginner, a dabbler or an established poet. 

A spokesperson for the event said that the course is filling up fast.

“The fact that those who were in last year’s workshop were the first on board with this one speaks volumes for the quality of Sam’s teaching.”

The Bannockburn Across the Bridge committee, used to operate under Arts Central, and has established the Bannockburn Arts Charitable Trust; now known as Bannockburn Arts.

The organisation, run by volunteers, puts on events supporting creativity and social interaction to benefit the Bannockburn region. 

Bannockburn Arts has been running for more than 12 years and has helped many local artists and Bannockburn gain recognition as a creative hotspot. 

Read more: Exhibition tribute to today’s lives of Bannockburn