Healing Verse Germantown, a new poetry and public art project was recently launched in Germantown with the goal of curbing gun violence, writes Peter Crimmins for WHYY.

The project is the brainchild of two former Philadelphia poets laureate, Yolanda Wisher and Trapeta Mayson, artists and co-curators, along with public art coordinator Rob Blackson.

As part of the project, they will spend five months leading 10 workshops in the neighborhood, encouraging residents to express themselves through poetry.

Poems selected from the workshops will inform 20 new public artworks that are expected to be installed in early 2026.

“One of the things we need to talk more about is art and its impact on violence,” said Adam Geer, Philadelphia’s Chief Public Safety Director, during the launch event.

Germantown is disproportionately prone to gun violence. According to city data, 42 people in the neighborhood were shot to death. This year, there has been 19 gun fatalities so far.

Healing Verse Germantown is an extension of the Healing Verse program that Mason concocted during her tenure as poet laureate from 2020 to 2021.

“It’s not just about public art. It’s about public healing,” said Blackson. “Placing these poems in the heart of Germantown where they’re created, people will walk through the streets, and they can see, in their own words, what poetry means to them.”

Read more about the Healing Verse Germantown launch in WHYY.

_____