LEAVES OF POETRY: A Celebration of Student Poems at Birmingham’s Railroad Park
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Desert Island Supply Co. (DISCO) invites the Birmingham community to experience Leaves of Poetry, an environmentally friendly installation of student poems at Railroad Park on Sunday, November 17, at 3pm. The event will include a student poetry reading with a special appearance by Birmingham Poet Laureate, Salaam Green.
“This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with poetry in an organic, outdoor setting, and to celebrate the fresh perspectives of Birmingham’s emerging writers,” said Elizabeth Hughey, co-founder of DISCO.
Leaves of Poetry is an installation of poems written by Birmingham students in DISCO’s writing workshops displayed on small wooden leaves tucked into the trees of Railroad Park. These biodegradable leaves were designed and crafted by Alabama Sawyer.
“Partnering with DISCO and Railroad Park on Poetry Leaves allows us to support young writers while furthering our dedication to sustainable practices,” said Alabama Sawyer co-owner, Leigh Spencer. “It’s powerful to think of Birmingham’s fallen trees not just as material but as a platform for the next generation’s voices.”
This partnership between DISCO, Railroad Park, and Alabama Sawyer was made possible by the support of the City of Birmingham Community Arts Grant Program. Together, these organizations share a commitment to nurturing the arts, supporting young voices, and creating meaningful community experiences.
“Create Birmingham is thrilled to be part of Leaves of Poetry,” said Viole Ratcliffe, the Community Engagement Manager for Create Birmingham, which administers the Community Arts Grant Program. “It’s a project that transforms public spaces into platforms for creative expression.”
Event Details:
● What: Leaves of Poetry: Opening celebration of a student poetry installation
● When: Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 3pm
● Where: Railroad Park Pavilion, 1st Avenue South & 17th Street South, Birmingham, Ala.
● Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in celebrating the creativity of Birmingham’s youth, brought to life in the heart of the city.
For more information about this event and the work of the Desert Island Supply Co., please visit discobham.com/poetry-leaves or contact us at the number above.
About the Desert Island Supply Co.
The Desert Island Supply Co. is a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, Ala., dedicated to providing young writers with the creative tools, space, and encouragement they need to explore and document their worlds. Through workshops, events, and public installations, DISCO fosters a love of writing and self-expression, empowering students to create and connect with
their communities.
About Railroad Park
Railroad Park is a 19-acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the city’s industrial and artistic heritage. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. More than 600 trees are planted onsite: a mixture of hardwoods, evergreens, and flowering trees.
About Alabama Sawyer
Alabama Sawyer designs modern, environmentally sustainable products from fallen trees in the Birmingham, Ala. area. Over the past decade, Alabama Sawyer has diverted hundreds of logs from the landfill by transforming them into award-winning furniture and products for homes and businesses.
About the City of Birmingham Community Arts Grant Program
Now in its third year, the City of Birmingham Community Arts Grant Program supports community arts collaborations with grants of $10,000 each. Each community collaboration supported is a partnership between an artist or arts organization and a community organization from a non-arts sector. Funded projects will take place in the City of Birmingham and will be accessible to the public.