The Celebration is being reimagined and we look forward to its return!

The Williamsville Poetry, Music, Art and Dance  Celebration is the culmination of a year-long program which features original  works created and performed by students from elementary age through high  school. Each year visiting poets inspire students, who then come together in collaborations that culminate in the celebration of student poetry, student musical compositions,  student art work, and student dances, all based on the poems.

Since its inception in 2000, the event featured internationally celebrated poets.  In recent years it has transformed into a program featuring all original student work. Annually, approximately 2,000 students from 1st through 12th grades participate in the program by creating poetry, music, art and dance.

Richard  Jones had this to say about had this to say about the 17th annual Celebration: "Anyone in doubt about the  future of poetry, music, art, or dance, should consider a trip to Williamsville  for the yearly student and teacher celebration of art. The honesty, heart,  whimsy, and wisdom displayed by these skillful young composers, artists,  dancers, and writers bears witness to an essential covenant: that we are all  born to create, collaborate, and make art in all its manifestations and glory.  These young people and their gifted teachers remind us that the human family is  meant to share the joy and fellowship of art, artist, and audience."

Similarly, Dan Gerber, guest poet for the 16th Annual  Celebration, spoke of the celebration as follows: “I’ve told many people of my experience in Buffalo and of how it has  fueled my optimism for the future of the arts and of arts education. How much  more deeply caring, thinking, feeling, and awake our world would be if programs  similar to yours were more the norm than the exception. How much more human and humane.” “The dedication  and commitment of all these young artists and their teachers has been a great  gift for me.” Similarly, Carol Ann Duffy, Guest Poet for the 15th Annual  Celebration, spoke of the Celebration as follows: "My   visit and time with the students and staff was without doubt the most   moving and inspiring time I've had as a poet working within education.   To see some of my poems used in collaboration with dance, art, music and   students' own writing made me look at my own work as freshly as though   it had been written by someone else. In fact, I felt better - in every way! No poet could ask for a better 'hearing' anywhere."

The Celebration has won numerous awards and honors. 
Past guest poets 
Past awards

The short video linked below, entitled COLLABORATions and CONNECTions, provides an overview of the types of poetry and performances created. Video clips are taken from Celebrations between 2004 and 2008.
Poetry Celebration Overview