Poetic Sculpture (High School Workshop)

The famous abstract painter Joan Mitchell once said, “My paintings repeat a feeling about Lake Michigan, or water, or fields. … it’s more like a poem, and that’s what I want to paint.” She was inspired by poet friends, too. In this workshop, we’ll write poetry and turn it into art.

Participants brainstorm about a special object that triggers a strong memory or mood. They can bring in their object, use a photo, or their memories. We’ll use music, examples, and visualizations to relax and let ideas flow. Prompts will be offered to help participants, if needed, such as: “Imagine you found this object that you thought you’d lost forever. What people, sounds, tastes, places, or emotions come to mind?” Once participants come up with a poem they love, they will write it on a block of wood and decorate it with markers. Their poem is now transformed into sculpture.