Events

Speak Up, Speak Out: Ekphrastic Poetry Day Inspires Creativity

Speak Up, Speak Out: Ekphrastic Poetry Day took place on Saturday, April 21st at the Cleveland Museum of Art in honor of National Poetry Month. Several writers were invited to perform their works that were inspired by artwork at the museum. Local poets Kisha Nicole Foster, Raja Belle Freeman, Ali McClain, Damien McClendon, Philip Metres, Ephraim Nehemiah, Michelle R. Smith, and Mary Weems read their works in the galleries for the Ekphrastic Poetry Invitational.

Thank you to all the writers who participated in the open mic event including: Marion Boyer, Anna Boyer, Kathleen Cerveny, Lee Chilcote, Richard Ferris, Belinda McKinney, Lara Mielcarek, Laura Pohlman, Jeremy Proehl, Susanne Sande, Adrian Schnall, Susan Spinell,  Claudia Taller, Marie Vibbert, and Raquel Wilbon. The writers each chose an artwork that inspired them from artists such as Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe and Basquiat.

We would also like to thank Lake Erie Ink, Twelve Literary Arts and the Cleveland Museum of Art for partnering with us for this successful event.

Damien McClendon performing his work for the Ekphrastic Poetry Invitational in the Neoclassical gallery.
Deirdre McPherson (Cleveland Museum of Art), Marie Vibbert (poet), Lee Chilcote (Literary Cleveland), and Raquel Wilbon (poet and Literary Cleveland intern)
Kisha Nicole Foster performing for the Ekphrastic Poetry Invitational in the Neoclassical gallery.