Literary Arts is a community based non-profit organization in downtown Portland. Their mission: engage readers, support writers, and inspire the next generation with great literature.

Once a year – through their Writers in the Schools program — Literary Arts presents an extraordinary poetry slam competition called Verselandia. Literary Arts’ third annual Verselandia was held April 29, 2014 at Portland Center Stage’s Gerding Theater.

Verselandia inspired PRP to focus this week’s award-winning Community Voices series on Literary Arts.

Literary Arts’ Executive Director, Andrew Proctor sat down and talked with us a few days after the sold out event.

Interview with Andrew Proctor

Part II

And, Andrew Proctor and his staff gave us audio access to some of the most creative and courageous high school poets you’ve ever heard.

Listen. Enjoy. Be inspired.

Verselandia Winner Bella Trent

Verselandia Winner Bella Trent

Verselandia Winner Bella Trent. Photo credit: Andie Petkus Photography

First Runner-up McKinley Rodriguez

Verselandia Runner Up McKinley Rodriguez

Verselandia Runner Up McKinley Rodriguez. Photo credit: Andie Petkus Photography

2014 Verselandia Winners

1st: Bella Trent from Madison
2nd: McKinley Rodriguez from Lincoln
3rd: Juan Ordaz from Franklin
4th: Sam Burnett from Franklin
5th: Alex Gerald from Grant

Here’s a recap of this year’s event.

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