MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA POET LAUREATE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
DEADLINE: June 15, 2008

In Feb. 2008,a 650,000 square foot state-of-the-art center for the diagnosis and treatment of heart, vascular and digestive diseases opened on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina. This hospital features a diverse collection of works that were competitively selected from a broad range of South Carolina artists. MUSC now wishes to augment this visual arts display with accompanying poetic works.

Marjory Wentworth, SC Poet Laureate and a committee of MUSC faculty and staff have been engaged to acquire work by South Carolina poets for public spaces of this building, as well as patient rooms, examination areas, staff only areas, and the hospital web site. Accepted poems will be included in a chapbook that will be available to patients and staff. Selected lines, phrases and poems will be displayed in select areas of the building.

There are three categories for poets to consider:

Publicly Displayed Poems "South Carolina - A Sense of Place"
Priority will be given to works that \ldblquote embody the extraordinary physical and cultural attributes of the state of South Carolina.\rdblquote Contributors are invited to consider the ways in which the natural world has always offered poets metaphors about the beauty and mystery and cycles of life; as well as, the inherent healing quality of landscape. In general, it is suggested that these poems embody a sense of comfort, hope and the humanistic spirit.

Poems that respond directly to the space and or art displayed \ldblquote Ekphrastic Poems\rdblquote Poetry about art
Interested poets can view art on web site - http://artwork.musc.edu

Poems Displayed in Staff Only Areas
Poems that will be displayed and available in staff only areas could deal more directly with the medical profession. Poems dealing directly with illness, acceptance, healing, and compassion will all be appropriate. Poems that celebrate the higher purpose of those in the medical field and the inherently humanistic quality of that work would also be appropriate; as well as poems that describe the dignity of all patients.

Submission Materials
A biographical sketch along with full contact information (including e-mail, address, and phone numbers). Submissions will not be returned.

Submission Guidelines -
Submissions may be sent in the following two ways:

US Mail - Please make sure your name and contact information is on the cover sheet only for identification purposes. Please send to: Marjory Wentworth, SC Poet Laureate, 1055 Royalist Rd., Mt.Pleasant, SC 29464

E-Mail- Please indicate in the subject line MUSC Poetry Acquisition Project and send to marjwpub@bellsouth.net

Previously published work is acceptable. Prose poems are acceptable.
Poems must be under 50 lines.
Poets may submit no more than three poems. It does not matter which category.

Selection Process An acquisitions committee will review submitted materials and make recommendations. The committee is
comprised of professionals and representatives of MUSC or its designated appointees.

$200.00 compensation for accepted poems.
This project is funded privately with monies raised by MUSC. No state funds will be used for the acquisition of poetry.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2008

If you have any questions, please contact Marjory Wentworth marjwpub@bellsouth.net