Art/Speaks: Special Edition, Are We Listening?

Join us for a special edition of Art/Speaks, our free creative lab taking inspiration from visual art. Today’s session is held in conjunction with the exhibit “Are We Listening?” by visual artist Rebecca Carlton. Hundreds of clay homing pigeons represent the threatened languages of the world. The session includes an introduction by the artist. Led by poets Carrie and Peter Sherrill, these 60-minute writing activities are perfect for both beginning and advanced writers in any genre.

About Art/Speaks:

The practice of using words to comment on a piece of visual art—ekphrasis—is an ancient one. One of the earliest and most commonly cited forms of ekphrasis occurs in The Iliad, when Homer provides a long and discursive account of the elaborate scenes embossed on the shield of Achilles. Contemporary literature provides many fine examples of ekphrastic writing. Though most common in poetry, ekphrastic writing can also include fiction and nonfiction.

Some background and examples of ekphrasis will be provided. Participants will be asked to write in response to one of the pieces from the current exhibit or to another piece that captures your imagination. Following the writing, writers will share their work aloud with other participants if they wish.