Exeter LitFest Launches Inaugural Storefront Poetry Project

EXETER—Before you step into a shop or restaurant in downtown Exeter next month, pause on the sidewalk to read the poem posted in the window. The works of poets from the greater Seacoast area will be displayed in town during April, National Poetry month.

More than 30 merchants and poets signed on for the inaugural “Storefront Poetry” project, an extension of the Exeter LitFest’s annual celebration of the area’s rich literary heritage.
Featured poets include high school students from Exeter High and Phillips Exeter Academy, local poetry teachers, published poets and two poets—Charlie Pratt and Harvey Shepard—whose poems will be shared posthumously.

The poems will be showcased on a distinctive poster and printed in a font large enough to be readable from the sidewalk. A QR code on each poetry poster will link to the Exeter LitFest website, where all the poems will be published.

In addition, a printed guide will detail which poets are featured in which participating shops.
“This project is a natural extension of our mission,” said LitFest founder Renay Allen. “It puts the creative works of our friends and neighbors in a prominent place for an entire month.”

LitFest board member Peg Aaronian coordinated the “Storefront Poetry” project along with poets Mimi White, Exeter; Trina Daigle, Newmarket; and Bob Moore, East Kingston, and graphic designer Eric Downer, Exeter.

This year’s annual LitFest kicks off Friday, April 5 at the Exeter Public Library, and continues on April 6 at the Exeter Town Hall. Authors Andre Dubus III and Ilyon Woo are featured speakers. For details, go to www.exeterlitfest.com.