The Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council has announced that 53 winning poems have been chosen out of 163 submissions in this year’s Poetry Corners competition.

In early spring, local poets —students, amateurs and professionals — submitted their work for Poetry Corners, a blind jury, theme-based competition. The jury judged the poems on the penned skill of the poet, as well as how each rhythm and rhyme stayed within this year’s theme: “Do not be afraid.”

In addition to the public displays throughout the island, the selected poems are also being published in a Poetry Corners chapbook, supported by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donors to the Arts & Humanities Council.

Then, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, the Arts & Humanities Council and Bainbridge Island Museum of Art will co-host Poetry Corners LIVE!

Each of the winning poets will take center stage in the museum auditorium to read and share their chosen submissions.

All poetry lovers are invited to attend.

“Once again, I am amazed at the hidden talents that lie in our midst, on our little island,” said Barbara Sacerdote, the Arts & Humanities Council’s executive director. “We are honored to present this collection of poetry.”

A complete listing of this year’s selected poems can be found online at www.BainbridgeArts

Humanities.org.

The Poetry Corners chapbook will be available for purchase at the Poetry Corners Live! event, as well as at Eagle Harbor Books in downtown Winslow.