Art Not Apart artists ask Canberrans to spill their secrets

The Secrets Transmutation Service, devised by seven Canberra poets, has been harvesting secrets from "deposit stations" at 10 cafes dotted around the ACT and via post, email and online.

Watson poet Jacqui Malins said the playful project tapped into people's curiosity for poetic expression and discovering what others kept close to their chests.

"What people think they need to keep a secret tells you a lot about the communities we live in; what they're ashamed of, or think they'll be judged for," she said. "That's what makes it quite juicy material for poetry."

Malins said each of the collected secrets would be put into a colourful helium balloon and strung up on the grass near the central courtyard stage.

"We will pop the balloons and turn those secrets into performance poetry," she said.

"Those that aren't popped and revealed will be released into the sky and float away which will be really cathartic."

Fellow poet Lauren Harvey said creating a judgment-free atmosphere at Art, Not Apart allowed people to experiment through workshops or get involved in the project's three performance sessions.

"We want people to get involved and explore new ideas," she said. "Poetry isn't about being right. Anyone can do it, because it's about expressing yourself."