Witching Words: A Poetry Competition invites visitors of all ages to step into a world where language shimmers and imagination leads the way. Inspired by the playful poetry of Margaret Mahy and the evocative illustrations of David Elliot, this competition encourages you to create your own poem using words, rhymes, and ideas drawn from the Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum exhibition, The Word Witch – Flights of Fancy.

Choose a poem or illustration that speaks to you, then, like a word witch at work, mix and match language, play with rhymes, and create something wonderfully your own. Whether you craft a tiny spell, tell a fun story, or dream up something entirely unexpected, Witching Words celebrates the joy of creativity and the magic of creating poetry. Let the poems you discover spark new ones of your own — and see where the magic takes you.

Collect your entry form from Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum to start creating your masterpiece!