WEST CHESTER, PA — The 10th Anniversary of the WC E-Poetry Contest showcased an exceptional blend of creativity and talent this winter, cementing its place as a staple of West Chester’s arts community. Led by Founder and Chairman Eileen Hutchinson, the contest has grown to include broader categories such as art, music, and technology, complementing its longstanding “Word Play” category for kindergarteners.
This year’s contest broke new records in participation, with high school students submitting a remarkable number of entries. Many of the submissions demonstrated a mastery of literary devices, artistic technique, and originality, particularly in art and music, which judges noted were among the best in the contest’s history. A distinguished panel of judges, including published authors, retired educators, and fellows of the West Chester Writing Project (WCWP), praised participants’ creativity and craftsmanship.
Since its inception, the WC E-Poetry Contest has awarded nearly $12,000 in scholarships across its different disciplines, including $9,000 for writing, $2,200 for art, and $500 for music. This year, the grand prize winners received almost $2,000 in scholarships, along with journals, certificates, and bookmarks.
The annual Poetry Awards Celebration during National Poetry Month, hosted at Barnes and Noble in Exton, brought together teachers, families, and enthusiastic contestants. Events included live poetry readings, art exhibitions, and music performances on a full keyboard piano, with dynamic presentations by kindergarteners opening the K-5 segment. Special guest Dana Kramaroff, author and National Writing Fellow, shared insights into journaling and poetry while inspiring young writers to cultivate kindness through creativity.
Looking ahead, Eileen Hutchinson envisions further expansion of this unique competition. “The ultimate goal is to represent every facet of the fine arts in this unique creative competition,” she remarked. “Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand the contest even further with the addition of a Spoken Word and Monologue category, including a scholarship opportunity for a theater camp.”
The contest’s success is underpinned by the commitment of local sponsors such as the West Chester Area School District, Chester County Art Association, Taylor’s Music Store & Studios, and others who continue to fund scholarships and operational support. Special commendations were given to artistic director Allison Garber and WCASD administrators for their contributions to the awards’ distinctive design and scholarship initiatives.
With its multidisciplinary approach and plans for future growth, the WC E-Poetry Contest continues to shine as a beacon of artistic expression, inspiring young creators across the region.
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