In 2006, the Pocatello Arts Council extended an open invitation to authors with ties to Pocatello and the vicinity to submit excerpts of their literary work as part of a public art project in partnership with Old Town Pocatello.

The project is called "Literary Pavers." It includes inscribing literary quotes and author identification into two foot square granite paver blocks and installing the pavers as a permanent public literary art project.

Hopefully, you have had a chance to see the "Literary Pavers" already installed in the walkways of Historic Old Town Pocatello. If not, you can see photos of the existing pavers at our online gallery (click here).

Originally, we had planned on retiring this project by this point in time. However, due to continued public enthusiasm and the richness of our literary community, the PAC will continue to look for original prose or poetry excerpts thematically reflecting Pocatello and the surrounding area (its history, culture, environment, ecology, landscape, people, values, customs, etc.). We invite you to send in a submission. The PAC will cover all costs of materials, inscribing, and installation. Our hope is that this unique opportunity will serve to publically celebrate our community and the work of many highly talented literary artists.

Interested parties may submit at any time. Submissions postmarked by March 31 will be considered for that calendar year. Accepted submissions will be scheduled for a yearly installation the following August-September.

Please follow these submission guidelines:

• Because of size limitations, we are looking for brief excerpts. To maximize visual impact, we would like to keep submissions to approximately 50 words.
• Include a clear explanation of your connection as author to the Pocatello area.
• If the material submitted is copyrighted, it is your responsibility as author to contact the publisher and obtain permission, if needed, for use of the material in this project.
• Posthumous submissions from responsible parties are welcome. For such submissions, provide explanation of your relationship to the author and of the author's connection to the Pocatello area.
• Include the following contact information: name, address, phone number, email address.
• For acknowledgment of submission receipt, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard, or indicate that the acknowledgment should be sent to your email address.
• Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a final response once acceptance decisions have been made. Please be aware that final response time could be several months.

Send all submission materials to:

Pocatello Arts Council Literary Paver Project
c/o the Mayor's Office
911 North 7th Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83201

A committee will review all submissions and select work for the project. All who submit work will be contacted sometime after final selection decisions have been made each year. If you have questions regarding this project, please call John Gribas, Chair of the Pocatello Arts Council, at 282-2695.