mid(we)st lit fest

celebrate :: poetry :: art :: place

Dec. 5, 2026 | Racine, WI

poetry workshops, writing activities, vendor expo & catered open mic

+ open studios, galleries & museums

Sign up to collaborate with a visual artist on an ekphrastic exchange

displayed at our event and published in the exhibition catalog!

✍️ 📖 Join us for the totally 💯 FREE day-long creative event you don't want to miss🎤📚

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Save the Date! Limited Free Registrations go live Oct. 15

👉 Sign up to be notified! 👈

Solve the word search at the bottom of the page and bring it to the lit fest for a special gift!

Attend no-cost poetry workshops about writing ekphrastic poems that respond to visual art with Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas, surrounded by the inspiring artwork of Racine's vibrant arts community
Find inspiration with open studio, gallery and museum exhibitions at OS Projects gallery, Racine Art Museum and more!
Draft a small chapbook of new work with interactive writing activities and exercises at the Racine Public Library and other locations throughout the city to fill a chapbook
Visit Racine's public poetry projects with a self-guided tour of Racine's Wall Poems organized by ArtRoot and the Poetry Movement's Bus Poems projects
Promote & sell your writing, art or organization with a free vendor table during our expo 2-6pm.
Perform your work alongside Brenda Cårdenas and other featured poets during our open mic in the Hotel Verdant ballroom — plus, enjoy free food and a cash bar.

Ready to join us? Subscribe to the Paper Knives email magazine to get notified as soon as registration goes live so you can claim your free tickets, including workshop seats, vendor tables, and open mic slots! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis!

Hotel Verdant already has a special mid(we)st lit fest block rate, so you can reserve your accommodations now! If you decide to reserve your room by phone, call (262) 456-6851 and tell them you're with The Poetry Movement's mid(we)st lit fest.

Need a hint? Look below!

Download the Answer Key!