The community is invited to a free reception on Sunday, May 20, 3 – 5 pm, to celebrate the launch of a poetry collection,  “I’Mmigrant,” written by students in our latest “Poetry in the Schools” workshop. The poets will read their work, and copies of the publication will be available.  The event is free, and light refreshments will be served. 

Five Hoboken schools — Hoboken High School, Hoboken Charter School, The Hudson School, All Saints Episcopal Day School and Elysian Charter School — were involved in the 2018 Poetry in the Schools Program. Approximately 123 students participated in an in-class poetry workshop with teaching artist/poet Robert Hylton, the Hoboken Museum’s new Poet in Residence. He is a native of Jamaica, currently teaching in Newark.

Students each submitted one poem on the theme of immigration or the immigrant experience. Forty-five students’ poems were chosen by Hylton for publication in the “I’Mmigrant” anthology. 

Following the in-class workshop, 29 students were invited to the Museum for a master workshop/ slam poetry contest, where students competed for a chance to recite their work at the publication party. Judges included Museum Director Bob Foster, Collections Manager Rand Hoppe and Education Curator Maria Lara. 

This program is possible with a generous grant from Party with Purpose.