DaimlerChrysler Showcases Aspiring Miami Area Poets
11 April 2000
DaimlerChrysler Showcases Aspiring Miami Area Poets
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 10 DaimlerChrysler is looking
to showcase aspiring Miami area poets and writers during its April 26 "Spirit
in the Words" poetry program in partnership with Poets & Writers Inc.
Scheduled to be held at the National Hotel, 1677 Collins Avenue in Miami
Beach, the theme of the 6 - 10 p.m. event is "moving people through poetry."
"We're committed to the support of the arts and share in the hopes and
dreams of many people who enjoy the art of the spoken words," said W. Frank
Fountain, DaimlerChrysler's Senior Vice President Government Affairs. "It's
programs like this that foster a renaissance in written and spoken art."
Miami is the second stop of a six city tour for 2000 that includes
Detroit, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Phoenix and New York. The company is also
planning to take the poetry program to Germany and France.
"It's particularly appropriate that Miami, the home of the prestigious
Miami International Book Fair, is hosting a Spirit in the Words event this
year," said Elliot Figman, Executive Director, Poets & Writers Inc.
"DaimlerChrysler has created a visionary program, one that resonates
beautifully with Poets & Writers' mission of helping emerging writers reach
their audience."
According to the National Endowment of the Arts, 24 million people in the
U.S. write creatively for their own fulfillment. Of those, 2.3 million
reported having published their work.
Nearly 300 U.S. universities have established graduate poetry programs
since the mid-1970s and the best ones are overflowing, according to the
Seattle Times.
DaimlerChrysler has published and distributed over 30,000 copies of "The
Spirit in the Words" poetry book that include original works of more than 75
aspiring U.S. poets and writers. The company published Volume One in 1997
with "The Spirit in the Words: a collection of A poems."
The company's poetry program was started in 1994 in Detroit, Mich. during
February Black History Month with 47 journalists/poets and has grown to over
200 participants that include DaimlerChrysler senior management, poets and
city officials.
In 1998, "Spirit in the Words" poetry events were held in Detroit and
Atlanta, Ga. during the National Blacks Arts Festival, which brought together
over 400 artists who specialize in theater, dance, music literature and visual
art.
"DaimlerChrysler made a commitment to not only the arts but also literacy
because the appreciation of art and reading is a part of our daily ritual,"
said Fountain.
Aspiring Miami area poets and writers who would like to submit their
original poetry for publication and be considered as contestants should submit
no more than three original poems and a one paragraph biography to Alan Miller
via email at: aem@daimlerchrysler.com or fax, 248-512-3002. Entry deadline
is Thursday, April 20.
Judges will select first, second and third place winners during the
program. The first place prize is an all expense paid trip to Ashland Writers
Conference in July 2000 to Ashland, Oregon. Second place is a $100 gift
certificate. Third prize is a pen set.
Each winner will have their poetry published in Volume Five of "The Spirit
in the Words" poetry book. Winners may also be considered to participate in
the company's European poetry activities.