In the summer of 2004, Huang Xiang became the first writer in City of Asylum/Pittsburgh’s exiled writer-residency program. He immediately made his mark on the city, figuratively and literally, by covering the façade of his residency house on Sampsonia Way with calligraphies of his poetry. This remarkable artwork, called “House Poem,” became an instant landmark celebrating the freedom to write. Since then, it has attracted thousands of visitors and inspired many poets.
Huang Xiang’s “House Poem” motivated City of Asylum/Pittsburgh to create additional writer-residencies on Sampsonia Way, each a rehabbed single-family home with text-based artworks on the facade. Sampsonia Way (in reality, a long, narrow, hodge-podge of an alley) is now a “public library” of “house publications” that you can read any time just by walking down the street.
Sampsonia Way, the web magazine, is intended to provide the same shelter for writers and writing as Sampsonia Way, the street lined with writer residences. Each defends free speech by protecting the people who actually do the writing and speaking. The homes provide shelter for writers; the magazine provides shelter for their work.
Please let us know your ideas on how we can best use Sampsonia Way to further this defense.
Contact City of Asylum/Pittsburgh at:
coapgh@yahoo.com
Or by mail to:
City of Asylum/Pittsburgh
330 Sampsonia Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4440
To take a virtual stroll down the street Sampsonia Way, go to “The Making of a Street with a View”
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Publisher’s Statement
Sampsonia Way encourages responsible and forceful free expression. The opinions and facts expressed are those of the authors. If you disagree with an opinion or believe us to have published an error, please let us know. Other than providing a public forum, we make no warranties.