Presented in collaboration with the Cambridge School of Art from Anglia Ruskin University, the exhibition showcases the work of Cambridge-based poets and art students and was coordinated by festival director Angus Allman and course leader Nick Jeeves.
Angus said: “I’m so proud of this project. All the work on display is extraordinary and this exhibition will usher in a new era for the Poetry Festival ahead of its full return in 2026.”
The Cambridge Poetry Festival is celebrating 50 years since its foundation in 1975 by poet Richard Berengarten.
Readings marks the start of a series of poetry events run by the festival, including a Summer in the Square workshop, a 50th anniversary celebration, and collaborations with regular Cambridge-based poetry events such as CB1 Poetry, Future Karaoke and Mill Road Poetry.
Helen Pletts, a poet and translator of Chinese whose work has been part of the project, said: “I hope visitors to the exhibition will enjoy the vital energy of these new visual creations, and that this exhibition brings to life in the very spirit of rekindling a traditional love that Cambridge has for poetry and it’s connection to all things creative.”
The Saturday evening event will feature poetry readings from Nia Broomhall, Tristram Fane Saunders, Nadia Lines, Ma YongBo, Helen Pletts, Stav Poleg, Freya Sacksen, Jon Stone and Harriet Truscott.
Visual art will be presented by MA Graphic Design and MA Illustration students at Cambridge School of Art.
Tickets are free and can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/readings-a-poetry-and-art-exhibition-tickets-1336508586159.
Previews and behind-the-scenes content are available on Instagram at @CambridgePoetryFestival.
