Burlington Launched Queen City Poetry Project
The Fletcher Free Library has filled downtown storefronts with local poetry posters.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Fletcher Free Library has launched the Queen City Poetry project, placing works from Vermont writers in downtown storefront windows. The initiative showcases poems written by pre-teens and adults that explore themes like adolescence and the natural world.
Why it matters
Organizers launched the project to highlight the work of local poets within the community. The effort takes its inspiration from established poetry programs in Montpelier and Randolph.
The Queen City Poetry project features posters displayed across 33 downtown businesses. Participants can view a full list of participating locations and poems on the library website.
The players
Fletcher Free Library
This Burlington institution serves as the primary project organizer for the local poetry initiative.
Greg Delanty
He is a professor at Saint Michael's College and a partner in the organization of the project.
Church Street Marketplace
This entity serves as the central downtown location for the participating poetry storefronts.
The details
The project represents a partnership between the Fletcher Free Library, the Church Street Marketplace, and Saint Michael's College professor Greg Delanty. Interested individuals can use the library's website to navigate the participating storefronts.
Timeline
The project runs for the entirety of October 2026.
Market Landscape
This initiative follows the successful implementation of similar community arts programs in other Vermont municipalities. By expanding into Burlington, the project strengthens the regional network of poetry-based public engagement.
Residents and visitors can view the poetry posters by walking through the downtown area throughout the month. Online resources provided by the library allow shoppers to easily locate the specific stores featuring these works.
The takeaway
This project offers a unique way for residents to engage with local literature while shopping downtown. Readers interested in regional culture should check the library website to ensure they do not miss the exhibits before they are removed.
Further reading
Find more community updates on the Burlington Openings & Closings page.
More information
View the list of participating locations and poems to plan your visit.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Burlington Free Press.
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Do you feel public art installations in local storefronts improve the experience of visiting your downtown?
