An Ekphrastic Event for Sharing the Muse

An Ekphrastic Event for Sharing the Muse

The idea for this event was developed by passionate supporters of SBMA, Dick Reineke and Jake Webster, as a way to include area writers more directly in the community of art makers here in Michiana and at the SBMA. Individuals are invited to find a muse among the artworks in the museum that inspires a personal poetic vision of its meaning. All submitted poems are reviewed and a number of works are chosen to be published in a chapbook. The selected poets are invited to attend our annual event held in the gallery and read their poems in person. 

We are all poets at heart. We use language daily to tell stories and refer to poetry for many important moments in our lives. Writing about our individual experiences requires us to find our own voice. We hope to encourage the creative self into being for some who are not often called to do so. You will find some of the writers are scholarly and others are finding a writer’s voice for the first time. All have focused on this experience of interacting with the artworks in the museum’s collection and responding with expressive writing.

If you would like to participate please visit the South Bend Museum of Art, take a stroll through our permanent collection galleries including the Rotunda, Carmichael Gallery, and Sculpture Corridor and write a poem in response to a work of art that inspires you. Poetry forms are available at the museum or you can email your poem to bowmanb@southbendart.org. Please include your name, email address, title and artist of the artwork you are writing about.

This year our event will be held on April 11, 2024  6pm-9pm

Deadline for submissions is March 8, 2024

Call for Submissions: December 2023