National Poetry Month 2007 Poster by Christoph Niemann Unveiled

New York, January 25—The Academy of American Poets has unveiled the official poster for National Poetry Month 2007, designed by award-winning illustrator and graphic designer Christoph Niemann.

The stunning, blue and black poster features the encoded image of poet Walt Whitman, composed of repeating white type reading "National Poetry Month April 2007." The image is accompanied by a line from Whitman’s poem "Leaves of Grass": "And our visions, the visions of poets, the most solid announcements of any."

Niemann was approached by the Academy to design the poster after his cover designs for The New Yorker and his drawings in Princeton Architectural Press’ 100% Evil were brought to the attention of Academy director Tree Swenson by esteemed designer Chip Kidd. "It was obvious from looking at Christoph’s work that he would have a fresh and vital take on how to convey an appreciation of poetry," said Swenson.

Each year, the Academy works with a new designer to launch National Poetry Month. The designers generously donate their time to the poster project. Past designers have included Chip Kidd, design collective Number Seventeen, and Milton Glaser, among others. A gallery of past posters can be viewed at www.poets.org/poster.

Over 200,000 copies of Christoph Niemann’s poster will be distributed for free to libraries, schools, independent bookstores and individuals in support of National Poetry Month this April. National Poetry Month was established in 1996 to promote and celebrate the reading of poetry throughout the United States.

About the Academy of American Poets

The Academy of American Poets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1934 to foster appreciation for contemporary poetry and to support American poets at all stages of their careers. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the most popular site about poetry on the web, presenting a wealth of great poems, audio recordings, poet biographies, essays, and interactive discussions about poetry; the Poetry Audio Archive, capturing the voices of contemporary American poets for generations to come; American Poet, a biannual literary journal; and our annual series of poetry readings and special events.

The Academy also awards prizes to accomplished poets at all stages of their careers—from hundreds of student prizes at colleges nationwide to the Wallace Stevens Award for lifetime achievement in the art of poetry. For more information, visit www.poets.org.