Ekphrastic Extravaganza: Art & Poetry

Arts Center East is hosting the fourth annual “Ekphrastic Extravaganza” exhibit from June 24 to July 22. There will be a reception and reading on Thursday, July 20, at 6:30pm.

The exhibit, which is part of Vernon’s Sustainable City program, is a collaboration between the award-winning student writers of Rockville High School’s Creative Writing Program and the Artist Members of Arts Center East. Each February, the artists send digital images of their work to Victoria Nordlund, the Creative Writing Director at RHS and poet in her own right. Inspired by an image of their own choosing, the students draft and revise their poems throughout the spring. Both the poems and artwork are displayed in the Eureka Gallery and on the ACE website.

Liz Bologna, Executive Director of Arts Center East, said, “The Ekphrastic Extravaganza is one of our favorite exhibits each year. We love opportunities where two different art forms can come together, especially when it comes to fostering young artists. Our artist members are always impressed by the poems and delighted with what their work can inspire in others.”

Vicky Nordlund added, “The ekphrastic exhibit is an incredible authentic writing experience. RHS students create poems that give a voice to thought-provoking pieces, and then have the opportunity to see their own work grace the walls of Arts Center East. To see themselves as artists is simply priceless.”

The exhibit is on display from June 24–July 22 in the Eureka Gallery (ground floor) at Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, free and open to the public. On July 20, a reception and poetry reading will take place at 6:30. For more information, go to www.artscentereast.org or call 860-871-8222.