The Writer’s Eye Literary Competition

Connecting Writers with the Creative Vision of Artists

The Writer’s Eye Literary Competition is Creative York’s annual writing competition. This competition links the inspiration of writers with the creative vision of artists. Participants are asked to view a specific exhibit, held during the fall in our main gallery, and write a poem or short story in response. This competition is open to anyone in 4th grade or above and entries will be judged based on age categories. Winners get the chance to read their piece aloud at our awards ceremony, as well as be published in our Writer’s Eye booklet!

Creative York offers free gallery tours for groups of 5-24 people who would like to learn more about the exhibition on display before writing their piece. If you would like to schedule a gallery tour, please contact us at 717-848-3200 or email Amber Herb at amber@creativeyork.org.

This Year’s Competition | 2026–2027

This year, writers are invited to find inspiration in two exhibitions at Creative York: Donna Sylvester: Embodied | A Retrospective in the Kerlin Gallery and Jessica Jane Julius: Being Wrong in The Art Lab.

Visit the galleries, select one work of art that speaks to you, and use it as the inspiration for an original poem or short story.

Both exhibitions are on view September 17 through November 7, 2026.

To view the exhibit online, click HERE

Who Can Enter

Writer’s Eye is open to:

• Students in grades 4–6
• Students in grades 7–9
• Students in grades 10–12
• College students and adults

First, second, third, and honorable mention awards will be presented in each age category. Winners will be announced in March 2027, with winning works published in the annual Writer’s Eye booklet and celebrated at a special awards ceremony.

Submission Guidelines

Entries may be a poem or short story and are limited to 1,000 words. Each writer may submit one entry inspired by one work of art from Embodied or Being Wrong.

All entries must be typed and include the title of your writing and the title of the artwork that inspired it. Submit two copies: one with your name and one without your name.

Entries must be original and previously unpublished.

How to Enter

Complete the Writer’s Eye entry form DOWNLOAD HERE and submit it along with two copies of your poem or short story.

Email submissions to writerseye@creativeyork.org , fill out the form below, or mail to:

Writer’s Eye c/o Creative York
10 N Beaver St.
York, PA 17401

Submission Deadline: December 23, 2026 by midnight

Entry forms must accompany all submissions.

To submit, fill out our submission form, include two copies (one with your name and one without), and email your submission to writerseye@creativeyork.org or fill out the form below and attach your two copies as a .docx or .pdf

Have a question? Email writerseye@creativeyork.org or call us at 717-848-3200

Introducing the 2026 Writer’s Eye Juror: Noel Sloboda Learn More About Noel