We are looking for land-based writing. All genres are accepted, including poems, stories, and creative nonfiction under 300 words. All submissions must respond to nature in some way.
The top 5 entries will be selected by Ashley Holloway and Jen Knox; these entries will then be converted to small, weather resistant wooden plaques that can be placed on posts throughout the walking paths on the Leighton Art Centre property. Author sites and works will be promoted through a QR code or link.
The intention is to encourage visitors to explore their natural surroundings and to create engagement with the art and words they encounter while there.
The plaque designs will be finalized once winning entries have been selected; post installation will occur in collaboration with Leighton Art Centre in the spring of 2026. Authors will receive images of their work at Leighton.
To submit: https://unleashpress.submittable.com/submit
The Leighton Art Centre (LAC) is a one-of-a-kind rural arts campus where art and nature meet. For over 50 years, we have welcomed artists and audiences of all ages to explore creativity through exhibits, education, events, and the environment. LAC supports the full lifecycle of artists, from school-aged learners to professionals, all the while fostering community building and environmental stewardship on our 80-acre site in the foothills. Note: The Leighton Art Centre re-opens to the public on Tuesday, February 3. Applicants who are nearby are welcome to explore the property after the re-opening during open hours, Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Find images of the property here: https://leightoncentre.org/
Any personal information provided in a request to post a listing on the AFA newsfeed, or in the listing itself, will be used for the purpose of posting to the AFA’s newsfeed, administering the AFA’s website and providing individuals and organizations with information on AFA programs and events. Such information is collected under the authority of section 33 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is protected by the privacy provisions of the Act. Should you have any questions about the collection of this information, you may contact Aaron Talbot, Arts Services Consultant – Communications, at 780-289-3781.