To poet Kindra McDonald, ekphrastic writing is a fun way to get people engaged with poetry.
McDonald will lead a workshop on ekphrastic poetry, which is verse inspired by artwork, at the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College on Saturday.
In addition to explaining how to write ekphrastic poetry, McDonald will challenge participants to explore the art at the Maier and write a poem about a piece that speaks to them.
“It is a way to access poetry,” McDonald said. “Usually, people connect better with art.”
McDonald received her MFA in poetry from Queens University of North Carolina, but before that she earned her English degree from Virginia Wesleyan College, where she was a student of Vivian Teter, an ekphrastic poet who spoke at the Maier last June.
McDonald’s workshop will feature some examples of ekphrastic poetry along with fun activities, such as reciting a U.A. Fanthorpe poem inspired by Uccello’s Saint George and the Dragon which narrates a story from from the perspectives of the dragon, the girl, and the knight.
Following the workshop, McDonald will ready some of her recent poems, which were inspired by an art exhibition she attended in Virginia Beach last year. The theme of the exhibition was “color explosion,” and she hopes her poems help listeners envision the vibrant colors of the paintings and photos showcased there.
The event will finish with a poetry reading session by all participants. “Anytime a group of people come together to discuss an artwork or literature, new ideas come along,” she said. “This is a good environment which helps people move their ideas forward.”
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 18. Admission is free.
For more information, visit the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College website.
Tags: art, Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College, poetry