Literature’s use of language, narrative structure, and the depth of interpretation can evoke emotion, convey ideas, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
We have been bringing together communities and multi-disciplinary creative arts for 25 years.
From poetry readings and community workshops to our popular Ekphrastacy program and Heights Poet Laureateship, Heights Arts brings all dimensions to how the spoken word blurs into visual arts and music for enlightening, moving, and meaningful journeys.
A popular program at Heights Arts, local poets write and present poems inspired by visual arts pieces — photography, paintings, sculptures, and more — that are displayed as part of exhibitions in the Gallery.
The Ekphrastacy literary program is a series of artist talks + poetry readings held regularly in the Heights Arts gallery. Participating poets receive an honorarium for their participation.
In 2005, Heights Arts and the City of Cleveland Heights appointed their first Poet Laureate to a two-year term, charged with creating programs that weave poetry into community life. Now in its 20th year, the Heights Poet Laureate program serves both Cleveland Heights and University Heights. Past collaborations have included the spirited Haiku Death Match, the social media poetry project PoetTweet, community writing workshops, and the ongoing Ekphrastacy series.
Applications will be accepted from October 1 to December 31, 2026.
From books and artistic bookmarks to stationary and posters, Heights Arts has the perfect item for you or to give as a gift.
Literature Highlight:
Bare in the Flesh
In this collection of poems, Ekphrastacy poet Calil “Just C.O.S.” Cage and his partner Morgan Paige Shorts explore the challenges couples face individually due to their own experiences and upbringing, while fighting for a love they have never experienced before.
This “fun”raiser for literary arts programming pits eight of the region’s best and bravest writers of the ancient, Japanese 17-syllable form against each other in a fierce competition for audience approval. Pairs of poets recite their original Haiku and the audience votes for the poem they like best. Low-scoring contestants are eliminated, and the last poet standing is declared Haiku Death Match Master.
New matches will be announced when an appropriate venue is identified.
Heights Arts accepts ongoing applications from poets interested in composing and performing original ekphrastic poems for our Ekphrastacy: Artists Talk and Poets Respond series. Curated by the Heights Poet Laureate, this quarterly program accompanies each Heights Arts gallery exhibition, bringing together the literary and visual arts in an engaging evening of artist insights and live poetry readings.
Application Deadlines
Michelle R. Smith
2025-2027
Siaara Freeman
2023-2025
Ray McNiece
2020-2022
Damien McClendon
2018-2020
Christine Howey
2016-2018
Meredith Holmes
2015-2016
Kathleen Cerveny
2013-2015
Cavana Faithwalker
2011-2012
Gail Bellamy
2009-2011
Mary E. Weems
2008-2009
Loren Weiss
2006-2007
Meredith Holmes
2005-2006
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