Poetry Maps

Maps are more than just guides; they open doors to worlds beyond our own. In 2023, the Museum of Northern Arizona embarked on a unique project, selecting captivating paintings from our fine art collection that showcase unique locations around the Colorado Plateau. We then invited our community to write original short poems corresponding to the art, bringing new depth to each scene. Versions of Poetry Maps have appeared on Flagstaff’s Mountain Line buses and outdoors during ArtX last spring. Now, for the first time, visitors to the Museum can experience the original artworks alongside the voices and verses they inspired. These paintings and poems serve as a map through place and time, revealing perspectives that form a collective connection to this extraordinary landscape.