Everyday I walk through my city.

I talk to my neighbors, I visit local businesses, I play at parks, and get some exercise. These are things I could do anywhere (ideally with sidewalks…). My ramblings are unique because I read poetry along the way–under my feet, no less.

The city of St. Paul, MN in conjunction with Public Arts Saint Paul and Saint Paul Public Works and artist-in-residence, Marcus Young, publishes local poetry through out the city as part of regular sidewalk maintenance.

How cool is that?

Poems are chosen via a yearly contest open to any St. Paul resident. For more information, visit the Everyday Sidewalk Project. Information for the 2011 contest will be announced in March 2011. If you, like me, are interested in poetry in front of your house in St. Paul, MN, simply call the Public Works Sidewalk Section at 651-266-6120.

So what does this have to do with marketing? Everything. Think about what this tells us — “the buyer” of what St. Paul has to offer — about “The Most Livable City in America.” At the very least we know St. Paul is an artsy city where public art, planning, everyday citizens and vision are important as well as budgets. Why budgets? Because this is a collaborative project funded by Public Arts Saint Paul and implemented by Public Works.

If you like what you’re reading, then support Public Arts in St. Paul by shopping online or giving today. Your donation is tax deductible.