This February, Rhode Island becomes home to a month-long exhibition celebrating local writers and the power of words in everyday spaces.

Featuring poems by writers of all ages from Burnley and the surrounding areas, this café-based exhibition brings together two strands of work: creative responses to the Why Not Burnley? poem (originally written to launch the journey toward Burnley’s Year of Culture in 2027) and short poems on the theme A Moment to Yourself.

The poems are displayed on tables in frames throughout the café, with a different piece on each table. Visitors are invited to read while enjoying thier coffee, offering a gentle pause in the middle of the day, and a chance to encounter local voices in an informal, welcoming setting.

The exhibition is free to visit during the café’s normal opening hours. As the work is displayed within a working café, we ask visitors to be mindful of the space, respect other customers, and enjoy the poetry as part of their visit to Rhode Island. While there’s no ticket required, the exhibition is designed to be experienced alongside purchasing a drink or something to eat from the café.

Presented by Rhode Island, Burnley Words Festival, and Culture Burnley, this exhibition celebrates creativity, community, and culture being a part of our everyday.