The Ekphrastacy literary program is a series of artist talks + poetry readings held regularly in the Heights Arts gallery (when possible), in conjunction with our special exhibitions. These unique events, which combine artist talks with live poetry readings inspired by the works in the current exhibition, are among the most popular events Heights Arts offers, and a perfect embodiment of the organization’s mission to bring together varying art forms for the benefit of the community.

Cleveland-area writers are invited and selected by the current Poet Laureate to view the installed artworks and respond with a poem. The poets observe the art at the Heights Arts gallery, and create a poem based off how the artwork makes them feel-including expressions of pain, inspiration, and uncertainty for what lies ahead for our nation.

To accommodate to this year’s special circumstances, we are presenting the Ekphrastic event through a Facebook live stream. Tune in on Thursday, March 4th to view poets Kisha Foster, Ray McNiece, Josiah Quarles, and Michelle R. Smith present poems they wrote in response to work in our current exhibition Posing the Question at our space on Lee Road.

“Our traditional Ekphrastacy evenings, which are a favorite among our supporters, usually occur on the fourth Thursday of an exhibition. While our space is open to individual visitors, we are still unable to present audience-style programming. Therefore, we are looking forward to presenting them recorded and online until we can all be together again in the same space,” says Heights Arts Executive Director Rachel Bernstein.

STREAMING INFORMATION

The potential of poetry to give voice to a moment was especially evident when Amanda Gorman, the U.S.’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate, stopped Americans in their tracks with her original poem The Hill we Climb, at the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January. While Heights Arts is not such a national stage, Ekphrastacy-Artists talk and Poets Respond offers similar opportunities for artists in our localcommunity. People interested in specific dates on Heights Arts’ Ekphrastacy series, exhibitions, or community teams can get more information at heightsarts.org. Poets interested in applying to participate in an upcoming Ekphrastacy event,can find more information at heightsarts.org/open-calls.