Apr 30, 2025 - Culture

Frame Work: Students' poetry in place of ads

Annalise Frank

Two billboards with poems on them. The first one reads "Detroit is like a capybara chillin on the couch." The second reads "I would love to touch the sun with my dream hand and hold it." — Two billboards featuring poems by students Evelyn and Deena. Photos: Courtesy of InsideOut

Alongside the usual billboard fare on Detroit roadways, like the iconic face of attorney Joumana Kayrouz, drivers can now see something new — students' original poetry.

Why it matters: Young writers are sharing their creativity and insights, turning advertising sites into platforms for art that can connect directly with the public.

This story is part of Axios Detroit's regular arts coverage.

Driving the news: InsideOut Literary Arts, a local youth education nonprofit that focuses on writing, is marking its 30th anniversary with a 30-billboard campaign, according to a news release. The billboards started going up late this month.

It's the start of a year's worth of anniversary programming.

What they're saying: "We hope that everyone who sees a billboard will be inspired and delighted by the compelling and sometimes humorous insights of our young people," InsideOut executive director Suma Karaman Rosen said in a news release.

Case in point: One of the billboards, attributed to Lailah, says: "I want to be known for what I do. I am going to thrive and save the day. I am that hero."

And another, from Safe: "It's a mystery why poems never end."

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Frame Work: Students' poetry in place of ads

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