Welcome
If you believe in art as an expression of community, and you like seeing it in public, you’ve come to the right place.
Poster Image
Poster Spotlight
First Warm Night. The Earth's
First warm night. The earth's
naked now except for its
bracelet of peepers
Valentine's Day was last week. We hope you all enjoyed some romance. We want to keep those warm fuzzy feelings going, and we found this poster from way back in 2003 that alludes to thoughts of both romance and springtime, which we promise is coming!
This was the only poster both Jim and Liz did for us. Liz created the entire illustration out of hand-cut papers, to help convey the feeling of approaching springtime that Jim describes.
Buy this poster at a discount this week. And if you would like to ship it to far-flung family or friends, we're happy to take care of that for you.
To shop for the poster, click on its image. To learn more about the poet and the artist, click on their names.
Current Posters (2024 Series)
Our Story
The Syracuse Poster Project, established in 2001, brings together community poets and artists to create an annual series of poetry posters for the city’s poster panels.
It's our mission to foster community through civic poster art, develop ways for that art to sustain itself, and provide opportunities for local poets and artists to develop their craft.
Each year we produce 10 or more art posters, each featuring an illustrated poem about downtown, the city, nearby countryside, and as of 2024, historical characters. The Project enlivens the city, builds community, and spreads its value by selling poster prints and poster-related products.
We released the 11 posters of the 2024 series at an unveiling celebration, April 29. Thank you to the many poets, artists and fans of public art who turned out.
The 2024 posters now remain on display through April, 2025, in the kiosks of Salina and Warren streets, the poster boxes in front of the Salina Street post office, and several windows of the Landmark Theatre, at Clinton and Jefferson streets.
The forthcoming 2025 posters will feature 14 legendary Central New York businesses. Eighty five poets and 41 artists submitted work. In November, an independent panel selected the winning posters, and these will be released at an unveiling celebration in April.
View the roster of selected poets and artists at this special webpage.
You can participate in our activities by submitting poetry, joining our call for artists, volunteering, making a donation, or buying our products. We offer a growing array of goods, including Syracuse posters, note cards, postcards, haiku booklets, and books on poster art and haiku. All proceeds from donations and sales directly fund our work. Your support sustains us.
If you live in Central New York, perusing these pages will confirm your love of certain landmarks, parks, neighborhoods and native experience. You’ll also deepen your appreciation of the creative community, learning about Syracuse poets and Syracuse artists, and the city that inspires them. You’ll find your neighbors, colleagues, teachers from your grade or high school, and other acquaintances. In short, you’ll discover that Syracuse’s creative community is your community.
If you’re new to the region or passing through, browse these pages as you would a quirky travel guide. You’ll find, conveyed through Syracuse art and poetry, an assortment of places and experiences that stir the hearts of locals. Well-known landmarks, as you’d expect, but also plenty of subtle, backyard epiphanies. If you’re looking for Syracuse souvenirs, we’ll send you home with a poster unique to this region. And while you’re here, compose a short Syracuse poem and send it to us. We love the fresh vision of travelers!
Testimonials
Read comments from some of our poets, artists, and other happy poster peeps
I love the way that the Syracuse Poster Project highlights the things that make this city such a unique place to live.I think the Syracuse Poster Project is a really positive addition to our community, and it's something I'm really excited to be participating in.
After so many years, the unveiling was a great reminder of what the project does, letting people have free access to an amazing art experience on the streets of Syracuse!
I'm thrilled the posters are placed around Syracuse. It allows people to take pride in their city and it brings a little color and inspiration for all to enjoy.
The artist seemed to have peered into my soul and read my words there. For perhaps the first and only time I felt that someone had actually understood what I had hoped to say in one of my poems.
I really felt honored to be a part of the Syracuse Poster Project because it has a really long lineage of really great paintings to come out of the illustration department. I'm really excited to have been a part of it and done this painting alongside the poet.
We love your Erie Canal Poster. It correctly reflects a sense of moving forward towards a bright future for the canal while still reminding us of the canal's incredible history.Thank you for offering a great poster to support such a wonderful resource.
The more I've learned about the Syracuse Poster Project, I realized that public art benefits us all and now I take notice in ways I hadn't before.
Your posters stopped me in my tracks when I first moved to town--beautiful tributes to the most underrated city around.
Thank you so very much for conceiving of and nurturing this amazing project that marries poetry and art and promotes where we live! It is such a gift to our community!
Thanks for doing this every year. I know it's a lot of work but it's a great thing and there are many of us who enjoy it and many more who enjoy it without even realizing it!
Growing up in Syracuse as a first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, I was inspired by the city's vibrant artwork and posters, sparking my passion for art and leading me to explore graphic design and marketing. Pursuing a minor in arts administration deepened my appreciation for art and fueled my desire to use design for storytelling and advocacy. I deeply admire the Syracuse Poster Project for showcasing local artists and embracing diversity, representing a wide range of differences.
