PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program publication party had its start in January, when Mimi White, the newly appointed poet laureate, launched her project "What is Home."

The six-week program attracted 60 participants who wrote works based on the theme under the guidance of five established writers.

Monday night's (Sept. 18) celebration at the Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth honored the writers and launched the chapbook "What is Home," the core project's final outcome, which features work by all the project's participants.

"It's a wonderful collection by some seasoned poets and others who have never written before," said Nancy Hill, PPLP's co-president. "The book will be available at the River Run Bookstore for $5."

Participants worked in five groups. The leaders were Mark DeCarteret, Marie Harris, Maren Tirabassi, Katherine Towler and White. In addition, there was an "auxiliary" group located in Stockholm, Sweden, run by former PPLP member Hildy Crill.

Monday night's celebration included an address by White, city laureate through April 2007. The Rye resident also read a letter from Crill to the audience of about 100. Her address was followed by two representatives from each of the five groups reading their works from the chapbook.

"I chose the theme because it had always been on my mind, what it meant to be at home," said White. "It's not just 'what is home.' It's about taking little pieces of that question: When do you feel at home; are you at home in your skin, in the dark?" The topic is one White said she's thought of often since moving to New Hampshire in 1968 "when I was a young married woman" and feeling like an outsider."

The publication party brought White's core project to an end.

"The writing was the foundation," she explained. "It was everything I'd hoped for and more. "If it were all we'd done, it would be remarkable." Numerous city organizations have held events based on the theme in honor of the project, including current exhibits of visual or written art at the Gallery at 100 Market, Buyers Brokers of the Seacoast, and the Children's Museum of Portsmouth.

Future events include an exhibition combining visual art and writings at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; a performance workshop at Pontine, and a Voices From the Heart concert using project poems for lyrics. Nahcotta Gallery, Art Around Town, River Run Bookstore, Seacoast Science Center and the Prescott Park section of the Fairy House Tour will feature events or elements based on the theme.

White said the project had been a success and personally satisfying.

"But I feel it's more than that, ... When I see people becoming friends, poets talking to other poets, continuing to write, I feel connected to that. "I always wanted it to be for others, and there are lots of others."

Chapbooks are available at River Run Bookstore, Market Square, Portsmouth.

Jeanné McCartin coordinates the exhibitions at the Gallery at 100 Market Street.