Six Mondays, September 23 through October 28, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In this workshop we will explore ekphrasis as genre and process: poems engaging otherwise “mute” art forms with text. We will look at ekphrastic poems by diverse writers including W.H. Auden, William Carlos Williams, Frank O’Hara, Charles Simic, Mary Jo Bang, Barbara Guest, and Laura Mullen. Then we will generate and experiment with our own writing in response to works of art. We will also engage in collaborative exercises designed to highlight, through vivid writing, what is happening, what is shown, and what is hidden in selected visual works. In addition to our class meetings, participants should plan to visit one additional venue (place and time to be determined) for viewing artwork. Students will complete and polish a group of four to five ekphrastic poems and will participate in a reading at the end of class. This workshop is open to both writers and visual artists; some prior writing experience would be beneficial.