Mountain-Bay Trail Poetry Walk
Where Art Walks in Nature
The Mountain-Bay Trail Poetry Walk is a community arts project that brings poetry, photography, nature, and local connection to the Mountain-Bay State Trail.
In its first year, the Poetry Walk will feature selected poems and photographs displayed along an approximately 6-mile Shawano-area section of the trail, from West Shawano to Thornton. The installation will not cover the full Mountain-Bay State Trail, but will focus on this local stretch as a walkable outdoor gallery.
This year’s theme is Travels, honoring both literal and figurative journeys. Poets and photographers are invited to submit original work inspired by movement, memory, change, place, nature, community, homecoming, and the many ways we make our way through the world.
Selected poems and photographs will be posted along the trail from August 15 through September 26, 2026. Community members are encouraged to walk the installation during that time, read, reflect, enjoy the artwork, and experience the trail in a new way.
The Poetry Walk will lead into the Friends of the Mountain-Bay Trail anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Community members are encouraged to attend the celebration, where there will also be a Poetry Walk raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will support the Friends of the Mountain-Bay Trail.
The goal of the Mountain-Bay Trail Poetry Walk is to create a welcoming, family-friendly experience that celebrates local creativity, Wisconsin artists, community connection, and the natural beauty of the trail.
For questions, volunteer interest, or community support opportunities, contact:
Rosie Rey
920.241.6804
WalkOrganizer@gmail.com
Join Us!
Can't Wait to See You There!
Grab your Poetry Walk passport below and explore the trail at your own pace.
From August 15 through September 26, 2026, selected poems and photographs will be displayed along an approximately 6-mile Shawano-area section of the Mountain-Bay State Trail, from West Shawano to Thornton.
As you walk, read the poems, enjoy the photographs, and collect the passport words or phrases found along the installation. Whether you complete a little of the trail or the whole route, you are invited to experience the project in your own way.
Bring your completed passport to the Friends of the Mountain-Bay Trail anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 26, 2026 to take part in the Poetry Walk activities and raffle.
The Poetry Walk is free to enjoy, open to the public, and designed for walkers, readers, families, nature lovers, artists, photographers, poets, and anyone who enjoys a good trail with a little extra magic tucked along the way.
Community Walk
Bring your passport to the Friends of the Mountain-Bay Trail anniversary celebration on September 26, 2026. Poetry Walk participants may receive raffle tickets based on the number of passport words or phrases collected. Final raffle levels will be announced once the installation is complete. (Passport pdf below)
Volunteer Coordinator - Lori Hayes
I’m serving as the volunteer coordinator for this year’s Poetry Walk, helping support the incredible poets, photographers, and organizers who make this event possible. While I’m not a poet or photographer myself, I deeply appreciate the creativity and sense of community this event inspires. I’m excited to help showcase the talented artists and writers sharing their work along the trail.
trailwalkvolunteercoordinator@gmail.com
Meet our Judges & Editors!
2026 Poetry Judge - Tori Grant Welhouse is a Wisconsin poet and writer. Her newest poetry chapbook is Padding Loamy on a Brew of Earth from Bottlecap Press. Her other chapbooks include Vaginas Need Air, winner of the 2020 Etchings Press chapbook contest, and Canned with Finishing Line Press. She also published a YA fantasy The Fergus, winner of the inaugural Skyrocket Press novel-writing contest.
2026 Photography Judge - John Sable / Bold Photos Madison is a portrait photographer, photography educator, and creative director based in Madison, Wisconsin. Specializing in cinematic portraiture and advanced lighting techniques, his work combines technical craftsmanship with emotionally driven visual storytelling.
John’s photography spans performer branding, conceptual portraiture, editorial-insp
2026 Co-Editor - Sheryl Slocum (West Allis, Wisconsin) with Kim Parsons has edited the Fall 2019 Bramble literary magazine and the upcoming 2027 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Sheryl’s publications include poetry, short stories, and nonfiction.
2026 Co-Editor - Kim Parsons (New Berlin, WI) co-edited the Fall 2019 Bramble literary magazine and the upcoming 2027 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar with Sheryl Slocum. Kim's publications include poetry and essays.
Thank You to Our Community Partners
