Gaia Creates

After the success of hosting Museum of the Moon last year, Exeter Cathedral will be the home of Gaia from 1st - 27th February 2023

The Partnership Network has been working to produce a series of events and projects that will take place during while the stunning and thought-provoking installation is in place, and we cannot wait to share some exciting experiences with you.

Scroll down for a list of events & activities!

As part of the Gaia Creates programme, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature will be working with members of the Partnership Network to produce a paper zine and digital anthology of original writing and creative responses - The Gaia Papers. 

We are pleased to commission 5 writers from Devon for inclusion in The Gaia Papers!

This is a paid commission open to writers who must be living in Devon. The commissioned piece should reflect the themes of the Gaia Creates programme and a focus on the environment & climate action, encompassing care for, connection with, and the celebration of our planet.

We are looking for contributors who are passionate about the environment and climate action, and we welcome submissions from writers and poets of all backgrounds and experiences.

To apply for this commission you must be living in Devon, and will need to submit the following information by midnight Friday 3rd February:

• Your name and a brief introduction/biography - maximum 75 words

• One original piece of writing, not previously published - maximum 500 words or 55 lines of poetry.

Selected contributors will be contacted by Friday 10th February, and will be given free entry to the Gaia installation on a day of their choosing during February*, and may also be invited to read/perform your work at an evening of live performance!

Send your submissions to Liv Hooper using the email address hello@exetercityofliterature.com, with the subject line The Gaia Papers Submission.

We can’t wait to read your submissions!

*Subject to available dates, details will be finalised upon selection of contributors.

Poetry & Sound:
The Gaia Commission

An original creation by two local artists

We are thrilled to announce that as part of the Gaia Creates programme, together with Exeter Cathedral, we have commissioned two local artists to create a new original poetry soundscape!

Poet Katie Moudry will write a brand new poem in response to Gaia,
while Sound Artist Somatic creates an added emotive layer of audio magic.

The final piece will premiere at a very special showcase event on Monday 27th February
alongside the launch of The Gaia Papers (full details coming soon), & made available to listen to here.

Poet - Katie Moudry

Katie is an Exeter based poet and the current Deputy Bard of Exeter. They draw their inspirations from their lived experience of being a queer disabled activist with a deep love for the natural world. Having had involvement with the Cathedral for a number of years, they are looking forward to writing a response to the Gaia installation, and for it to debut in such a sacred space.

Katie has been published in Spread The Word’s Writing Happiness anthology, and was the host of The Queer British Book-Off as part of Exeter Pride 2022.